Patil’s decision to step back from the polls is also considered to be a setback for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his faction of the Shiv Sena. There was a perception, even among the BJP’s circles, that Shinde had carefully cultivated Jarange Patil by trying to resolve his issues and often sending a team of ministers to meet the agitating leader.
Jarange Patil is no novice. It looks like he has adopted the ‘one step backwards for two steps forward’ strategy. The 42-year-old activist has virtually become the sole leader of the Marathas, and his frequent fast-unto-deaths since August last year have rattled the powers that be.
While the BJP has fielded several Maratha candidates, it is relying on Eknath Shinde as well as Ajit Pawar to damage the Maratha vote bank of the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. Patil’s supporters can vote for Shinde’s Maratha candidates to some extent …