NCP to discuss Lok Sabha strategy on Friday

Also to consider corrective steps to revive party's image amidst corruption charges against its ministers

The ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra has convened a high level meeting on Friday and Saturday to discuss corrective steps for the revival of its image and also prepare an action plan for parliamentary elections in the state.

“The Lok Sabha election is on top of the agenda at Friday’s meeting. The NCP will further gear up its efforts to consolidate its presence across the state by reaching out to other backward castes (OBCs), tribals, minorities, women and more importantly, youth. The party is quite keen to prove that it is not merely a Maratha-centric party, but consists of all sections,” state party chief Madhukar Pichad told Business Standard.

In keeping with its strategy to connect with the youth, the party will nominate senior ministers and party leaders for the Lok Sabha seats and thereby, give an opportunity to youth in state politics. OBC leader and public works minister Chhagan  Bhujbal, rural development minister Jayant Patil, tribal development minister Babanrao Pachpute, public works minister (in charge of PPP projects) Jaidutt Kshirsagar, water resources minister Sunil Tatkare, higher and technical education minister Rajesh Tope, minister of state for education Faujia Khan, former minister Vijaysinh Mohite Patil are being short listed for their nomination.

Although the NCP has indicated that it is quite keen to continue its alliance with the Congress party, it does not want to take any chances and is thus preparing a strategy for all 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

During the 2009 elections, the NCP had contested 22 seats but won 8 seats. On the other hand, the NCP’s alliance partner, the Congress had bagged 17 seats after fielding its candidates on 26 seats.

NCP leaders have not hidden their desire to increase their tally to 15 seats, especially in the wake of the party’s emergence as number one in the local and civic body elections held last year. The NCP proposes to demand at least five more seats compared to 15 in 2009 during its talks with the Congress for the ensuing general elections. The two-day meeting will be chaired by party chief and union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar and will be attended by party ministers and senior leaders.

This is to further send out a clear signal that it is Sharad Pawar who is the party boss will be in full and not Ajit Pawar, despite being the party’s group leader in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

Interestingly, Pawar senior, who has already announced his decision not to contest ensuing general elections, has already conducted his visits in his capacity as the union agriculture minister and NCP chief in a large number of districts and interacted with the party leaders and rank and file about the party’s future strategy.