BJP’s Archana Patil elected president of Dharashiv ZP

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: BJP MLA Rana Jagjitsinh Patil's wife Archana Patil was elected Dharashiv Zilla Parishad (ZP) president after the ruling Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the election for the posts of president and vice-president.BJP's Archana defeated the opposition-backed candidate by a wide margin as Mahayuti registered a 45-9 win over the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).The win is being considered to be important as Shiv Sena MLA and former minister Tanaji Sawant opposed an alliance with the BJP in Dharashiv ZP.The result also indicated a cross-vote from the opposition camp. While the Mahayuti alliance officially had the support of 44 members in the Dharashiv ZP, the alliance received 45 votes. On the other hand, the MVA managed to secure only nine votes. One of its members remained absent during the voting process.Sena's Usha Gaikwad was elected vice-president, reflecting the alliance's coordinated strategy. The outcome was considered crucial as the contest was expected to be closely fought.To avoid cross-voting, MLA Rana Jagjitsinh had taken all the elected ZP members of Mahayuti on a tour outside Maharashtra. Soon after the results were announced, Mahayuti workers celebrated the victory outside the ZP office by bursting crackers and smearing gulal.Reacting to the outcome, Rana Jagjitsinh said several allegations and criticisms had been levelled against the alliance during and after the Zilla Parishad elections."We responded to all criticism with restraint. Despite the BJP being the largest party in the district, we had committed to moving forward together with our alliance partners," he said.