Thane, Jul 7 : Kapil Patil, the BJP’s OBC face from Maharashtra, is the first MP from Thane and for that matter Palghar district to get a berth in the Union cabinet.
Patil, 60-year-old, who hails from Highway Dive of Bhiwandi taluka, left NCP to join BJP in 2014.

So far none of the BJP or any other party MPs from the district had this opportunity despite the fact that Thane Lok Sabha constituency remained the biggest one in the country for years.

The BJP and the erstwhile Janasangh had stalwarts like Ram Mhalgi, Ram Kapse, Jagannath Patil, Chintaman Wanaga but none got an opportunity.

Dr Jayant Patil, was the member of the Planning commission, with the union minister rank.

The Bhiwandi constituency, which Patil represents, also had prominent figures in Bhausaheb Dhamankar and PD Jadhav of the Congress. Though, they were MPs but could not make it to Union Cabinet.

Even the Rajya Sabha MP Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, who hails from Thane and was the vice-president of the party, could not get a ministerial role at the Centre.(UNI)