Exclusive | Lok Sabha elections 2024: My work in Raver will speak for itself, says Shriram Dayaram Patil

Shriram Patil meets people from his constituency. Pic/Ashish Raje

NCP (SP) Lok Sabha candidate Shriram Dayaram Patil points to his election campaign vehicle - a Ford SUV - and shows its extended 2D decals. "Look at the flag post and the man blowing the tutari election symbol banner. Look carefully at how neatly they are affixed to my vehicle in the front. They are all made by our team in my factory. They are all made by us," he said. Patil, 53, is an industrialist by heart. Managing director of Shri Sairam Plastics and Irrigation, social worker and now with the NCP's Sharad Pawar faction, he truly markets his products well and also has a strong history of social work, the right network and a huge fan base, which he now intends to convert into a vote bank and make a dent in the BJP's vote count.

Patil was with the BJP till April 9, when he subsequently met Sharad Pawar for discussions and is now a NCP candidate of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). He has been a people's man and has earned a fan base in every small village by genuinely helping people in need. Battling Raksha Khadse, a sitting two-time MP from a powerful family, Patil has no qualms. He is confident about his work and now has the backing of the agrarian NCP and Sharad Pawar himself. "My work will speak. The present MP was not even spotted in the region," he says in an interview with mid-day.

Excerpts…

How do you sense the public mood this time given the changing political equations and new alignments?
I do not know about others, but the changing political sentiments are in our favour. I am concerned about Raver and here, it is my work that will speak.

What about the BJP and Mahayuti's focus on developmental works?
Where are the developmental works? Ask these people around me. Ask those random villagers (he signals and calls a few passers-by). Ask them if their MP was seen at all in the constituency. Has she visited any villages or is she accessible? The villagers need an accessible leader. But you have a tough fight with the two-time sitting BJP MP who has a strong political family legacy… This time, there is no challenge as no work has been done in the constituency. My work speaks for itself. Time will tell whom people will favour.

What is your strategy to fight this election and face parliament?
I have been in the field of social service for ages and have worked with the people. There is a reason these supporters are following me. I have the blessings of NCP chief Sharad Pawar who knows the farmers' and agriculture issues well and there must be a reason that he has put his confidence in me. The idea is to get administrative support for my social work once elected, to make a difference in people's lives.

What are the key issues you will fight for?
Addressing irrigation, water crisis and unemployment. People here do not have water to drink and end up buying barrels of water. There is a need to develop sources of water and maintain a steady supply. Irrigation projects are in limbo and many agriculture issues have remained unaddressed. Farming, which is the main occupation here, is badly affected because of all this.

What is the status of the banana industry and overall growth of the region?
Raver produces the maximum banana yield in Jalgaon district, yet there is nothing to give an impetus to the banana farmers here for their growth. We need to have allied businesses that can help the banana farmers. There is so much to do. Among other things, there is no local multi-specialty hospital. A horticulture college had been approved once but it has not come up here and went elsewhere instead. I will work towards all this.

SWOT Analysis Shriram Patil

Strengths
>> Has a good network and solid fan base
>> Has been support pillar for several youth who he has offered jobs

Weaknesses
>> A complete novice in poltical field, especially in national politics
>> Will need to prove himself administratively

Opportunities
>> Rival candidate sitting MP, not being accessible and complaints of not being seen in the constituency
>> Slow work pace of sitting MP

Threat
>> Eknath Khadse has switched over from NCP and extended support to his daughter-in-law - the sitting MP and Raver Lok Sabha candidate