The Ahmednagar south Lok Sabha constituency poses challenges for the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With the wrangle between the Congress and its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) over the seat yet to be resolved, Sujay Vikhe-Patil, Mr. Radhakrishna’s elder son, has said he will fight as an Independent if the Congress did not grant him a ticket. Mr. Radhakrishna’s father, veteran Congressman Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil was well-known for his close ties with both the BJP and the Shiv Sena. In 1998, Balasaheb was elected from the Ahmednagar LS, while in 2001, he joined the BJP for a brief while before returning like the prodigal son into the Congress fold. In the recently concluded poll to the Ahmednagar civic body, Mr. Gandhi’s son and daughter-in-law both suffered setbacks.

Source: The Hindu January 20, 2019 18:56 UTC