Former Union Minister and senior leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Praful Patel got elected to Rajya Sabha. Nut, he is ‘confused’ over one extra vote he secured. Patel, who won Rajya Sabha polls whose results were declared in the wee hours of Saturday, secured 43 votes against decided 42 votes. While talking to the mediapersons at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Patel expressed his confusion. “There were 51 votes of NCP and as per our discussion within party, we had decided that we would ask for 42 votes and rest nine votes for Sanjay Pawar of Shiv Sena. In fact, ministers Ajit Pawar, Dhananjay Munde, Hasan Mushrif, Rajesh Tope voted for Sanjay Pawar. Surprisingly, I got 43 votes. I am still unable to understand whose vote I secured as extra,” said Patel.

 

“There is no need to make fuss about the three seats won by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the votes of constituents-Sena, NCP, Congress remained intact.

 

The votes of about 4 Independents were secured by BJP. Even most Independents-- those in Government and those supporting MVA, cast their votes to our candidates. Unfortunately, Nawab Malik, Anil Deshmukh could not vote and one vote was declared invalid,” added Patel. When asked about Sharad Pawar’s statement where he admitted that Fadnavis could wean Independents and despite majority MVA could not succeed, Praful Patel said, “The counting continued till late night and we all were tired. I don’t know what happened to Congress votes or what Shiv Sena did. I don’t know what Sharad Pawar told the media. I did not have any interaction with him. I can only say, NCP has done its work with honesty. Our leaders worked hard, talked to AIMIM, Samajwadi Party to garner maximum votes for all our candidates. We all will meet soon and try to find out what has happened.”

 

 

 

Both Rajya Sabha elections winners -- Dr Anil Bonde from BJP and Praful Patel from NCP -- will be felicitated by their respective party supporters on Sunday, in city. Patel will be felicitated in presence of Dilip Walse-Patil, Home Minister of Maharashtra and Contact Minister for Nagpur and Gadchiroli NCP at Junction Function hall, Katol Road at 5 pm. Duneshwar Pethe, President of Nagpur City NCP appealed to the Party workers to remain present in large number. Dr Bonde will visit Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mahal office at 11.40. He will pay respects at Deekshabhoomi and then proceed to Pravin Jumle’s residence in Vasant Nagar where he would be feted. Pravin Datke, City BJP President, appealed to the Party workers to remain present in large number to welcome Dr Bonde at Nagpur’s Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport at 10.30 am.