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The ruling Congress party in Maharashtra has dropped sufficient hinst that it will not tolerate anti-party activities or rebellion to pursue personal ambitions in the run up to the assembly elections slated for October. The party's move comes after the resignation by the industries minister Narayan Rane blaming the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan for party's debacle in the Lok Sabha election. He also cited that the party failed to keep its promise of making him the CM after he deserted Shiv Sena to join Congress in July 2005.
Even after 12 days, Rane's resignation is pending with Chavan neither there has been any decision from the party high command. Rane put up his argument before Chavan and state Congress unit president Manikrao Thakre but the duo swiftly passed the ball to high command's court. Subsequently, Rane made his submission before Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, he has yet to get appointment with Sonia. The party has left Rane with limited options either to withdraw his resignation or toe party's line.
These turn of events are crucial especially when Congress party has launched negotiations with its ruling ally Nationalist Congress Party for seat sharing for assembly poll.
Interestingly, Congress party issued disqualification notices after Rane's close confidant and party corporator Ravindra Phatak and six other corporators joined Shiv Sena in Thane two weeks ago.
A state party executive leader, who did not want to be identified, told Business Standard: "Congress party, which is yet to recover from the humiliating defeat in the general election, does not want to take any chance during the assembly poll. Chavan held series of meetings with senior ministers and leaders and all arrived at a consensus that party's revival is the need of hour. However, it will be done by not entertaining leaders challenging the party line or threatening to stage a rebellion. All district units have been asked to gear up poll preparations by burying hatchets.'' He informed that first list of the party candidates for assembly election will be announced by August 15 to remove uncertainty among the rank and file.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Ratnakar Mahajan said Congress needs to keep its act together in Maharashtra for next election to this end every leader who can contribute is important. What ever the issues arise will be solved amicably through discussion.
