Facing both a rival candidate who was once an ally, as well as the threat of anti-incumbency, Dr Sujay Vikhe Patil, the BJP candidate for the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat and son of veteran Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, finds himself against the odds in his endeavour to retain the seat.

His opponent, Nilesh Lanke, the former NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) MLA from Parner, announced his resignation last month as his differences with state minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil had intensified. Lanke is being fielded by the NCP (SP). Sujay Vikhe-Patil, 42, a neurosurgeon by training, asserts that the people of his constituency, including farmers, are aware of the accomplishments of the current government on the ground. Therefore, he believes that the efforts of the Congress to cultivate negative perceptions against the government will not succeed.

In an interview with mid-day, the BJP leader opened up, discussing his vision for the constituency. He said that whenever he feels stressed or simply needs a good laugh, he “recalls the antics of the Congress”.

Sujay Vikhe Patil. Pic/Nimesh Dave 

You represent the Ahmednagar constituency which is known for agriculture. Farmers are not happy with the Union government over crop prices.
Congress tries to build the perception that the government is against farmers. But, we have removed these misconceptions. Onions commanded a good price in April. Farmers have got a milk subsidy. Farmers are aware of what the Modi government has done for their betterment. They  have seen development. Farmers are with us. Congress just tries to build a negative perception.
 
Maratha reservation is a burning issue. An anti-BJP atmosphere has been created in rural areas due to this.
In Marathwada, Marathas demanded reservation in the OBC category. But in my district, most Marathas have Kunbi certificates, so they are already in the OBC category. Here Maratha reservation is not a huge issue like in Marathwada. Also, the government gave 10 per cent reservation to Marathas.
 
Your main opponent, Nilesh Lanke, is known for his work during the pandemic. Will it harm you?
COVID-19 was an international calamity, and everyone did work during that time. The sarpanches of villages also work. In the COVID centre started by Lanke, around 15,000 to 18,000 people were treated. But the population of the district is around 30 lakh. We, too, did work during the pandemic, but we never publicised it. It is inappropriate to use work done during the pandemic to get votes. He should tell people what he did as an MLA. He was in power for more than four years. He should tell us what he did during this period.  Speeches made during the Assembly elections are now being delivered while campaigning for the Lok Sabha election. He has done nothing.

You left the Congress in 2019 and contested the Lok Sabha election on a BJP ticket. Do you miss your former party?
I was willing to contest the election as a Congress candidate. Its ally, the NCP, used to contest elections from Ahmednagar. I was ready to contest the election as an NCP candidate. But revenge politics took place. I did not get the opportunity to contest. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP showed faith in me. They give me opportunities. Yes, of course, I miss the Congress party. Whenever I’m stressed and need a good laugh, I think about Congress.
 
Can you tell us how the BJP is different from the Congress?
There is a huge difference. BJP is a cadre-based party that has its own vote bank. The BJP cadre is committed to the party and works for it. This brings results. Congress doesn’t have a vote bank. When its leaders shift [to another party], the votes shift with the leader. We have witnessed this during the last Assembly election. Congress is a person-centred organisation. On the contrary, the BJP is an organisation that believes in the party.
 
What have you done for your constituency? What is your agenda for the next five years?
The flyover in Ahilya Nagar [Ahmednagar] city had been stalled for 10 years. It was completed in 18 months during my tenure. Bypasses at Ahilya Nagar city, Karmala and Pandharpur were completed in 18 months. After 30 years, three new industrial zones have come up in the district.  I will try to bring new industries to the constituency to generate employment and increase irrigation for agriculture.

You have slammed your opponent for not being able to speak in English…
My education helps me understand government schemes, which are mostly in English. Because of this, I can introduce various schemes in my constituency. My learning helps me to do better work as a member of Parliament.

7.04 lakh
No of votes polled by Sujay Vikhe Patil in 2019

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