Satej Patil, known across Kolhapur as Banti (Bunty) Patil, is the Congress party’s most powerful leader in Kolhapur district. A former minister, a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council and the man who led the 2026 Gokul fight against the Mahayuti, Banti Patil is at the centre of Kolhapur politics. Here is his complete biography.
Satej (Banti) Patil Biography at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Satej Dnyandeo Patil |
| Popular name | Banti / Bunty Patil |
| Date of birth | 12 April 1972 |
| Birthplace | Kolhapur, Maharashtra |
| Father | Dr D. Y. Patil (former Governor of Bihar) |
| Brother | Dr Sanjay D. Patil (President, D. Y. Patil Group) |
| Wife | Pratima Patil |
| Children | Tejas and Devashree |
| Nephew | Ruturaj Patil (former MLA, Kolhapur South) |
| Education | Shivaji University, Kolhapur |
| Party | Indian National Congress |
| Current post | MLC, Kolhapur Local Authorities constituency |
Family Background
Banti Patil is the son of Dr D. Y. Patil, the educationist and former Governor of Bihar whose D. Y. Patil group runs medical, engineering and other institutions in Kolhapur, Pune and Navi Mumbai. His brother Dr Sanjay D. Patil heads the D. Y. Patil Group, and his nephew Ruturaj Patil was MLA from Kolhapur South (2019-2024).
Early Political Career
Satej Patil entered politics through student politics. He was elected chairman of the Shivaji University Students’ Council in 1992-93 from NSUI. In 2001 he was elected a director of the Kolhapur District Central Cooperative Bank from Gaganbawada taluka.
Satej Patil Election Record
In 2004 he won the Assembly election as an independent by more than 42,000 votes and was re-elected in 2009 from the newly formed Kolhapur South seat. In 2014 he lost Kolhapur South to BJP’s Amal Mahadik. A year later, in the 2015 Legislative Council election from the Kolhapur Local Authorities constituency, he defeated Mahadevrao Mahadik, who had held the seat for three terms. In 2021 he was re-elected to the Council unopposed after BJP’s Amal Mahadik withdrew.
Satej Patil as Minister
| Period | Government | Portfolios |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 – 2014 | Congress-NCP | Minister of State for Home (Urban & Rural), Rural Development, FDA; Guardian Minister of Kolhapur |
| 2019 – 2022 | Maha Vikas Aghadi | Minister of State for Home (Urban), Housing, Transport, IT, Parliamentary Affairs, Ex-Servicemen Welfare |
Institutions and Cooperatives
- Chairman, Padmashree Dr D. Y. Patil Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana, Gaganbawada
- Vice President, D. Y. Patil Education Society (Kolhapur and Pune)
- President, Shree Mouni Vidyapeeth, Gargoti
- President, Kolhapur District Basketball Association
Also Read: Chandrakant Patil vs Banti Patil: Kolhapur’s Biggest Rivalry
Banti Patil and the Gokul Fight 2026
In October 2026 Satej Patil led the Rajarshi Shahu Shetkari Samvichari Aghadi in the Gokul election against a Mahayuti panel backed by Hasan Mushrif, Dhananjay Mahadik and Chandrakant Patil. His panel won 13 of 25 seats and defeated outgoing chairman Navid Mushrif and Shoumika Mahadik. But after the government appointed four nominated directors with voting rights, Mahayuti’s Rajesh Patil won the chairman election 16-13. Satej Patil led a huge Sangharsh Morcha and has challenged the ordinance in the High Court.
Also Read: Gokul Sangharsh Morcha 2026: Why Kolhapur Is Boiling
Major Rivalries
- Mahadik family: Kolhapur South and the Legislative Council seat have swung between Patil and Mahadik for two decades.
- Chandrakant Patil: The 2022 Kolhapur North bypoll and the 2026 Gokul fight were direct Patil-vs-Patil battles.
- Hasan Mushrif: Once allies in Gokul, now on opposite sides.
Satej (Banti) Patil Biography and Political Journey FAQ
Who is Banti Patil?
Banti (Bunty) Patil is the popular name of Satej Dnyandeo Patil, Congress leader from Kolhapur, former Minister of State and member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
What is Satej Patil’s age?
Satej Patil was born on 12 April 1972 in Kolhapur, so he is 54 years old in 2026.
Who is Satej Patil’s father?
His father is Dr D. Y. Patil, educationist and former Governor of Bihar.
Is Satej Patil an MLA or MLC?
He is an MLC from the Kolhapur Local Authorities constituency, first elected in 2015 and re-elected unopposed in 2021. Earlier he was an MLA from 2004 to 2014.
What is Satej Patil’s role in Gokul?
He led the Rajarshi Shahu Shetkari Samvichari Aghadi, which won 13 of 25 seats in the October 2026 Gokul election.