Nana Patole had quit Congress over Vidarbha neglect

BJP MP Nana Patole, who introduced a private member Bill in Lok Sabha on Friday which led to uproar in his home state, is known as a firebrand farmer leader of Vidarbha.

Patole (53) had emerged as a giant killer in 2014 Lok Sabha elections by defeating political heavyweight Praful Patel of NCP by a margin of almost 1.50 lakh from Bhandara-Gondia constituency. He started his political career as a member of Bhandara Zilla Parishad. In 1995, he contested assembly election as a rebel Congress candidate but lost to BJP. In 1999 and 2004 assembly polls, he won from Lakhandur on Congress ticket.

In the winter session of 2008 Patole took on the Congress-NCP government's apathetic attitude towards Vidarbha's development and farmers' suicides in the region.

"He resigned from Congress and contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections as an Independent. He lost to Patel by a huge margin but got more votes than the BJP candidate," said a senior BJP functionary.

BJP recognized his potential and took him in the party fold. Patole proved them right by winning the assembly election of 2009 from Sakoli with the highest margin in Vidarbha. His record in parliament is also exemplary. With 94% attendance, Patole has participated in 74 debates and has asked 236 questions till now, says the statistics of PRS Legislative.