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Now take, for example, Madan Patil, a powerful leader from Sangli district.

This two-time MP and MLC did not get an NCP ticket; under the seat-sharing agreement, sitting MLA Dinkar Patil of the Congress was renominated.

Now Madan Patil has revolted and is contesting as an independent. And supporting him is his cousin and Congress MP from Sangli Prakash Patil, son of the late Vasantdada Patil, four-time chief minister of Maharashtra.

"We control the zilla parishad, corporation, nagarpalika and co-operatives in this area," Madan Patil told rediff.com, suggesting that he should have been the natural choice. "We suggested to them to swap seats, but they did not listen.

"Sharad Pawar knows everything down to the taluka level. But the Congress is ... like an observer. Observers who fly in from Delhi often don't know much about the local politics. They make reports, send them to the high command, and wrong people get tickets."

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