बीजेपी में शामिल हुईं शिवराज पाटिल की बहू अर्चना पाटिल।

Shivraj Patil's daughter-in-law Archana Patil joined BJP.

Archana Patil Chakurkar, who is related by marriage to former Union Home Minister and Congress leader Shivraj Patil, officially became a member of the BJP in Maharashtra last Saturday. Her induction into the party was marked by a gathering attended by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other prominent BJP figures.

Speaking at a press briefing in Mumbai, Devendra Fadnavis expressed optimism about Chakurkar's joining, citing its potential to bolster the BJP's presence in Maharashtra ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Fadnavis highlighted the significance of someone from Shivraj Patil's family, a notable Congress figure who served as Speaker of the Lok Sabha and held the position of Union Home Minister, aligning with the BJP. He underscored the potential impact on strengthening the party.

The decision was preceded by a meeting between Chakurkar and Fadnavis at his official residence the day before. Chakurkar, who currently holds the position of chairperson at Lifecare Hospital and Research Centre in Udgir, is married to Shailesh Patil Chandurkar, who serves as the state secretary of the Congress.

Shivraj Patil, Chakurkar's father-in-law, has a distinguished political career, having served as the Lok Sabha Speaker from July 10, 1991, to May 22, 1996. Additionally, he held the portfolio of Union Home Minister between 2004 and 2008 in the UPA government led by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Notably, Patil's tenure as Union Home Minister coincided with the tragic 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which resulted in the loss of at least 192 lives. He resigned from his position on November 30, 2008, following criticism arising from the handling of the attacks.

Chakurkar's move to the BJP follows a trend of prominent figures from the Congress switching sides. In February of this year, Basavraj Patil, former working president of the state Congress and ex-MLA, also joined the BJP.

With Maharashtra holding 48 Lok Sabha constituencies, the state gears up for voting across five phases starting from April 19.

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