NCP president Sharad Pawar, who requested the Prime Minister to reduce his burden so that he could devote more time to his party, has prepared a blueprint with senior party leaders to strengthen the party organisation.
Apart from Maharashtra, where the party is sharing power with the Congress since 1999, Pawar is keen to increase NCP’s base in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa and north-eastern states. Pawar is keeping a close watch on developments in Andhra Pradesh where Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy has defied the Congress whip and resumed his 'Odarpu Yatra' (consolation tour).
Pawar has reiterated that NCP will not merge with the Congress but make an all out effort to consolidate by maintaining its own identity. Last week, NCP veteran Ratnakar Mahajan in his letter to Pawar insisted that NCP should merge with the Congress as the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin has become irrelevant.
According to the blueprint, Pawar, who suffered a setback after the party won only eight seats in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, would try to reach out to OBCs, minorities and backward classes. “The idea is to replace NCP’s image of a Marathi-dominated party. Recently, Pawar addressed a conference of NCP’s minorities wing in Delhi and indicated that the party will do everything to protect their interests,” a senior NCP leadersaid .
Further, Pawar would personally supervise the party’s preparations for the elections to the crucial BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation. “NCP is willing to form an alliance with the Congress because it is not in a position to flight the polls alone. For this, the NCP needs to work hard as it has no substantial backing from Muslims, minotiries, OBCs and BCs in the metropolis. Pawar may rework his party’s strategy to woo them,” said the party leader.
In Bihar, the NCP would make fresh attempts to make inroads into the Kushwaha, Koeri, Bhumihar, Kurmi, Muslims, OBCs and BCs communities. NCP leader and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who enjoys a good rapport with Kushwaha and other OBCs, would be put on the job ahead of the ensuing assembly elections. Besides, the NCP may keep its options open to either tie-up with the Congress, Lalu Prasad or Ram Vilas Paswan.
Hemant Takle, member of NCP’s core team and Maharashtra treasurer said, “The NCP in its Karla declaration (a document released after the party’s recent meeting at Karla in Maharashtra) has resolved to strengthen its national base and to achieve this, Pawar’s pro-active role is necessary. From food security and employment to rights of minorities, NCP will take the issues up with the people and increase its presence in rural and urban areas.”
