A protege of BJP MP from Navsari and Surat strongman C R Patil, Patil will be pitted against NCP candidate and veteran actor in Gujarat films, Jamil Khan alias Rajdeep.
The 36-year-old Maharashtrian, who is a mother of two, was among the founder members of MSMM which was founded in 2007. Its president is Ujwalla Nikam and it works for women empowerment and uplift.
Patil’s husband works in a dyeing and printing unit in Pandesara. Hers was hardly a profile expected to contest this seat that was carved out of the Choryasi seat represented by minister Narottam Patel before the delimitation.
Talking to The Indian Express, Patil said, “It was an unexpected news for me that I had been selected by BJP to contest from Limbayat seat. Our true service in helping women and widows in getting government aid had borne fruit. Our NGO runs sewing machines and computer classes in Udhna and Limbyat areas. Around 5,500 women who attended our classes are now helping their families financially by doing jobs in private firms. We work for reducing malnourishment among children and provide essential food to them in 200-odd Anganwadis. We also work hard against female foeticide.”
“I have been an active member of BJP since 2005 but have not fought any elections so far. My family and others are happy I am contesting elections,” she said.