Together they rule, but alone they tread when it comes to promoting self image. The Congress and the NCP, which have been administering Maharashtra since 1999, are currently working full swing to consolidate their singular presence across the state by reaching out to the people on development issues.
Nonetheless, the two parties are on the same track when it comes to downplaying the efforts of Anna Hazare and the support the anti-corruption crusader got from across civil society during his 12-day fast in Delhi last month. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, without naming him, even criticised the Gandhian’s method of agitation—and said none could undermine the supremacy of the parliamentary democracy and the Constitution.
All the same, the NCP is taking swipe at the Congress for its “big-brotherly arrogance”, and has taken a lead by launching a massive exercise for going solo in the elections to 195 municipal councils, 12 municipal corporations and 27 zilla parishad scheduled for this November and February next year.
State deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who is NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s nephew, has not hidden the party’s desire to fight these elections alone. This, when they are treated as the rehearsal to the 2014 assembly elections in the state.
Pawar junior has launched region-wise visits in order to take the party leaders, rank and file into confidence and lure the disgruntled elements from the Opposition. He has justified the NCP’s move to increase its base across the state and said there was “nothing wrong” if the Congress makes similar attempts.
Says an NCP minister, who does not want to be identified: Ajit Pawar has has given a top priority for party’s consolidation and become the deputy chief minister in November last year after Prithviraj Chavan took over as the Congress chief minister. “He is marching on his uncle’s advice to accommodate more and more youth, women and those belonging to the backward class, minorities and tribals. This is in a serious bid to change the party’s image as being Maratha-centric,” he told Business Standard.
The leader said Pawar Junior is addressing region wise party meetings in the presence of state party unit chief Madhukar Pichad and ministers and senior party leaders from the respective regions in order to send a signal that the party was united and well equipped to go for a solo fight. Pichad has already said his party was prepared to go solo.
Another NCP minister, who is close to Ajit Pawar, said deputy CM the latter, also the state’s finance minister, he has been trying his best to bring in a much-needed discipline in state’s finances. “But, he is neglecting the developmental works proposed by NCP legislators in particular,” he said.
NCP legislators are happy as Ajit Pawar has a “unique style” of functioning wherein he never indulges into dillydallying but does works if doable. “He also bluntly rejects work proposals on the grounds of financial and administrative constraints,” said the minister. “This has gone down well. The party legislators are prepared to support him in his attempt to bring NCP on number one.”
The Congress too is also not sitting idle, but has launched efforts to keep its number one slot especially in the local self-government. State party unit chief Manikrao Thakre said a decision would soon be taken on whether to fight the upcoming elections on its own. “Our party has received a number of representations recommending a solo fight,” he said.
A Congress minister attacked the NCP for making inroads in the state at the cost of coalition dharma. “The NCP ministers,” he said, “are holding crucial ministries with higher budgetary allocation. They are doing everything for the benefit of their party legislators and members.”
The Congress, he claimed, has taken up the issue during the coalition meeting, but the NCP has done “little to bring in visible changes”. In such a situation, the Congress “will have to further step up our efforts in going it alone at the coming elections.”
