NCP to name new Maharashtra unit chief Saturday

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will name its new president for Maharashtra here Saturday, a party official said here Thursday.

The appointment will be announced at an extended NCP Working Committee meeting here to be presided over by party chief and union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Union Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Praful Patel, who is NCP general secretary in-charge of Maharashtra, will also attend, said party spokesperson Nawab Malik.

Saturday's meeting will see all top office-bearers of the party, members of parliament and legislatures, leaders of all frontal organisations and other invitees deliberating on the new party chief.

The vacancy came after incumbent Madhukar Pichad was inducted as a minister in the Maharashtra cabinet two days ago.

The new state president's appointment is keenly awaited as he/she would lead the party in the next year's Lok Sabha and Maharashtra assembly elections.