Kolhapur: A major accident occurred during a victory procession in Chandgad, Kolhapur district, where independent MLA Shivaji Patil, who had just been elected, narrowly escaped unscathed. The incident left Patil and three to four others injured.
The mishap occurred while the supporters were celebrating Patil’s victory by tossing gulal (colored powder). To spread the gulal during the procession, a JCB machine was used. As the workers danced, gulal was sprayed from the machine, but suddenly a fire broke out.
Women performing puja escape
Several women, who were performing puja (worship) at the time, were also present and miraculously escaped without injury. The fire is believed to have been triggered by the fine particles of gulal and the presence of possible flammable materials.
Patil sustained minor injuries and is reported to be in safe condition. The other injured people have been hospitalised for treatment. Local authorities responded quickly to the scene and managed to bring the fire under control.
Shivaji Patil wins Chandgad by 24,000 votes
In the vote counting for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Mr. Shivaji Patil secured a decisive victory in Chandgad, defeating NCP’s Rajesh Patil by a margin of 24,134 votes. Patil, who had rebelled against the BJP, contested the election as an independent candidate. The voter turnout in Chandgad this year was recorded at 74.61 per cent, a notable increase from the 68.64% seen in the 2019 Assembly elections. In the previous polls, Rajesh Patil of the united NCP won from the constituency.
