Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam made a resolute stand on Wednesday, opposing the proposal to concede the Sangli Lok Sabha seat to MVA partner Shiv Sena (UBT). This opposition is part of a potential bargain that could secure the Kolhapur seat, where royal family head Shahu Chhatrapati is likely to contest on the Congress ticket.
Kadam, an influential Congress MLA from Sangli, emphasized the historical significance of the Sangli seat for the Congress party and expressed confidence in the party’s chances of winning it in the upcoming elections. He stated, “There is no question of compromising on the Sangli seat. It is a traditional seat of Congress, and this time, the party has a good chance of winning it. Therefore, we will not leave it for other parties.”
Currently held by BJP’s Sanjay Patil, the Sangli Lok Sabha seat is a focal point of political contention. Kadam, backed by fellow Congress MLA Vikram Sawant and the support of the late RR Patil’s family in the district, is optimistic about the party’s prospects in the region. He asserted, “We have conveyed our message to the senior leaders that the seat should remain with us.”
The proposal for seat exchange arises from MVA leaders’ approach to Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj, the 12th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, to contest from the Kolhapur seat. While Shiv Sena (UBT) has expressed interest in the Kolhapur seat, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj is keen on contesting on the Congress ticket. Negotiations and consensus-building within the Congress leadership are crucial to resolving this potential exchange.
