Sangli Pattern a political trend? 100+ rebels contesting Maharashtra elections as Independents

Jayshree Patil (L) is contesting as an Independent from Sangli against Congress pick Prithviraj Patil (R).

The contest in the Sangli constituency was keenly observed during the Lok Sabha elections due to the rebellion of local Congress leader Vishal Patil. There was considerable acrimony within the MVA during seat-sharing talks, as both the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) staked a claim to the seat. However, the Shiv Sena had the final word and announced its candidate. This decision disappointed Patil, who chose to contest as an independent candidate and ultimately won.

After his victory, Patil declared his loyalty to the Congress. It was noted that although he stood as an independent, local Congress cadres campaigned for him rather than for the party's official candidate. This unique electoral strategy has since been dubbed the 'Sangli Pattern' and is now being mirrored in the assembly elections as well.

Jayshree Patil, a member of the Vasantdada Patil family, has also rebelled against the Congress and is contesting the elections as an independent candidate. The Congress has fielded Prithviraj Patil, who has previously lost two elections. As in the Lok Sabha polls, a section of Congress workers is seen campaigning for the rebel candidate, Jayshree Patil. The only distinction between Vishal Patil's case and Jayshree Patil's is that, during the Lok Sabha elections, the official candidate belonged to an alliance partner (Shiv Sena, UBT), while in the assembly elections, the candidate represents the Congress itself. This dynamic has added a dramatic twist to the contest in Sangli.

A district in western Maharashtra, Sangli holds historical significance in the state's politics. It has been a Congress bastion since 1962, with the exception of the period from 2014 to 2024. Maharashtra's first Chief Minister, Yeshwantrao Chavan, was born here. Vasantdada Patil, another notable leader from Sangli, served as the state's Chief Minister a record four times. Additionally, the late NCP leader RR Patil, renowned for his clean image, hailed from this district.

While Sangli is celebrated for its political luminaries, it often makes national headlines for the wrong reasons, particularly during the monsoon season. The Krishna River's frequent flooding has devastated the region numerous times over the last two decades, making it a key issue in this election.

Sangli, known for its turmeric production, comprises eight Vidhan Sabha seats. In 2019, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance won three seats, while the Congress-NCP coalition secured five.

The 'Sangli Pattern' is no longer confined to Sangli; it has been observed in other constituencies as well, where local leaders have rebelled and are contesting against their party's official candidates. Across Maharashtra, over 100 rebels from both alliances are running as independents. In the event of a hung assembly, these independents are expected to play a pivotal role in government formation.