{
  "id": 12442417,
  "title": "Congress’s Satej Patil says BJP deliberately fielded his niece from Pune MLC seat: ‘Will ensure victory of MVA candidate’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/congresss-satej-patil-says-bjp-deliberately-fielded-his-niece-from",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T18:31:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/congress-satej-patil-bjp-pune-mlc-seat-10909765/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Congress Member of Legislative Assembly Satej Patil alleged on Tuesday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deliberately nominated his niece Smita Jadhav from Pune Graduates constituency in the State Legislative Council polls to unsettle him. Patil expressed disappointment that, despite the evident affection the BJP and Chief Minister have for the Jadhav family, they did not directly appoint his niece as an MLC through the Governor's quota. Instead, they opted to field her from the Pune seat, according to Patil.\n\nDespite this, Patil emphasized that the nomination of his niece by the BJP wouldn't affect his political stance. He stated that his conviction remains strong and that he is committed to campaigning vigorously to ensure the victory of the Maha Vikas Aghadi candidate. The BJP has nominated Smita Jadhav, daughter of P D Patil, chancellor of Dr D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, and wife of Yogesh Jadhav, director of Pudhari, against Harshada Deshmukh of the National Congress Party (NCP/SP).\n\nHarshada Deshmukh, on the other hand, is the daughter of Prabhakar Deshmukh, the former Pune divisional commissioner. Upon being nominated by the BJP, Smita Jadhav claimed that her uncle has her blessings. However, Patil clarified that familial bonds and political positions are separate matters.\n\nFurther, he mentioned that the MVA has re-nominated Jayant Asgaonkar from the Teachers constituency in Pune. Patil expressed confidence that both seats in Pune will be won by the MVA without any internal rifts. If anyone from his party or other constituent parties were to be upset or nominate themselves, he suggested a constructive discussion and requested them to withdraw their nominations.\n\nCongress city president Prashant Jagtap affirmed that the MVA is not experiencing any rebellion in the Pune seats. The Congress has opted to re-nominate Jayant Asgaonkar from the Teachers constituency and remains confident about his victory.\n\nLastly, Patil also addressed rumors about the Kolhapur's Gokul Dairy election being unopposed due to the drought. He pointed out that if people argue for an unopposed Gokul election, why are they conducting the Legislative Council and District Central Cooperative Bank elections?",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Congress MLA Satej Patil alleges BJP deliberately nominated niece Smita Jadhav in Pune MLC polls.",
    "Patil disappointed BJP didn't appoint niece through Governor's quota, opted for Pune seat instead.",
    "Patil confident MVA will win both Pune seats without internal rifts."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}