Maharashtra Minister’s Niece Nila Vikhe Patil Elected to Swedish Parliament

Nila Vikhe Patil, the 41-year-old niece of Maharashtra minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, has been reportedly elected to Sweden’s Parliament from the Stockholm City constituency. She will become one of the 349 members of Sweden’s Riksdag. Nila, a Green Party leader, was elected in the national election held on September 13. 

From Maharashtra Roots to Swedish Parliament

Nila was born in Sweden but spent her early years in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. She is the daughter of Maharashtra educationist Ashok Vikhe Patil. Her grandfather was former Union minister Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, while her great-grandfather Vithalrao Vikhe Patil founded Asia’s first cooperative sugar factory.

Her Political Career and Work

Nila has been reportedly active in Sweden’s Green Party for many years. Before entering Parliament, she served on the Stockholm City Council and worked as a political adviser in the Swedish Prime Minister’s Office during Stefan Löfven’s administration. Her work there included finance, taxes and housing. She has also worked at PwC since 2020. 

Nila studied economics and law and earned a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the Gothenburg School of Business. She also studied at the Complutense University of Madrid. After her election, she said she wants to contribute to Stockholm and Sweden and be a voice for people who cannot vote. 

Nila has said that children’s welfare and the environment are among her main areas of interest. She also said she remains closely connected to India and feels proud of her Maharashtra roots. Her father, Ashok Vikhe Patil, said he was proud of her achievement.