The Congress in Maharashtra took a calculated risk today by changing its candidate from the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha constituency and fielding Kunbi Sena chief Vishwanath Patil for the Lok Sabha polls, while the BJP is yer to announce its candidate.
Sources that that development came after persistant demands by a section of the Congress that the sitting MP Suresh Tawre was a non-performer who ought to be replaced.
AICC bosses were ready to replace the sitting MP and give the party ticket to any other candidate but insisted that those who demand this should also name the replacement as well as take the sole responsibility of getting him elected, souces said.
Originally a BJP leader, Vishwanath Patil moved to other parties, before joining the Congress at a Kunbi Sena rally, in the presence of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.
The composition of the voting population which comprises Agris, Kunbis and the miniority community has forced the Congress to pick Patil, sources said.
Meanwhile, the BJP is likely to field construction industry bigwig Mangal Prabhat Lodha, sources said.
