Vilasrao Deshmukh consolidates position

Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who completed 100 days holding the top post in the state today, told a industry delegation that he would do everything possible to ensure the state maintains its apex position in the country.

In his current term, Deshmukh has consolidated his position in the state as a mass leader who is not averse to taking difficult political decisions such as the slum demolition drive.

The physical infrastructure of Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik are being developed to transform them into world class business centers, he told a delegation led by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The meeting focused on industry issues related to reservations in jobs for backward castes in the private sector, contract labour, boards of private trusts, factory rules, power and infrastructure.

Deshmukh, who has returned to the chief minister's post after a gap of nearly 18 months, has utilised the 100 days in power to consolidate his political position in the state.

His fresh tenure has been marked by continuing with the free electricity sop for 23 lakh farmers as well as undertaking a never before witnessed demolition drive that cleared more than 1 lakh illegal hutments which encroached upon government, civic and private lands in the city.

The strategy behind Deshmukh's demolition drive was set in motion even at the time he appointed his new cabinet. Former close confidante and minister of state for home Kripashankar Singh as well as minister for technical education Naseem Khan of the Congress failed to be picked up by Deshmukh.

Political observers feel, the move was aimed at pre-empting any rebellion within the Congress ministerial ranks when Deshmukh launched his demolition drive.

Deshmukh, through the demolition drive of illegal encroachments (post 1995), was able to derive the support of the mostly the middle-class citizenry in Mumbai, a fact that will surely help his party in the civic elections to be held for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in mid-2006.

A senior secretariat official adds, "Even though the crucial home portfolio is held by the Sharad Pawar led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Deshmukh demonstrated he was in charge by effecting the arrest of a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) official on graft charges, without the home minister from the NCP, RR Patil even becoming aware of the development."

The chief minister has ensured that his position in the state may no longer be challenged by another 'Maratha' leader from within his party, while also demonstrating that the NCP leadership in the state lacks a political strategician of his calibre.