Political Shift: Archana Patil Chakurkar Joins BJP

Archana Patil Chakurkar, daughter-in-law of a veteran Congress leader, left the Congress party to join the BJP and filed her nomination from Latur city for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. She will contest against Amit Deshmukh amidst a significant political shift.

In a significant political development, Archana Patil Chakurkar has shifted allegiance from the Congress to the BJP, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections. Filing her nomination on Tuesday, she aims to represent Latur city, bringing a prominent Lingayat voice to the BJP's fold.

Chakurkar's switch to the BJP comes after she left the Congress in March, aligning herself with the saffron party's vision. Her nomination was a high-profile affair, with several established Mahayuti leaders including former union minister Bhagwat Karad and state minister Sanjay Bansode present to extend support.

She prepares to challenge long-standing Congress MLA Amit Deshmukh, who has served Latur City since 2009 and was a part of the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government. The elections are slated for November 20, with results to follow shortly after on November 23.

(With inputs from agencies.)