NCP set to effect major reshuffle in party ahead of assembly polls

Water Resources minister Sunil Tatkare tipped to be new state unit president

After humiliating defeat in the Lok Sabha election, the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) proposes to carry out a major organizational shake-up by bringing in new faces in the run up to the 288-member Maharashtra Legislative Assembly poll slated in September-October.

The party, which won mere four seats of 21 seats it contested in general election, will soon appoint the water resources minister Sunil Tatkare as Maharashtra unit president by replacing the present incumbent Bhaskar Jadhav.

Further, the Jadhav led jumbo state executive will be dissolved and new body will be formed providing adequate representation to youths, women, professionals apart from various communities. Tatkare faces a huge challenge to make over NCP's image being the Maratha dominated party and the party with maximum ministers facing corruption charges.

NCP's move to reshuffle organization comes at a time when the party has taken a hard stand of getting more seats from Congress during seat sharing talks for assembly election. At the same time, NCP has indicated that it was also exploring an option of going solo in the assembly poll.

Tatkare, who was defeated by the Shiv Sena nominee Anant Gite with a thin margin, has been picked up NCP chief Sharad Pawar as he hails from the Hindu Gavli community, a part the other backward class. Besides, he is a good orator and organization man.

Tatkare, who comes from Raigad district changed loyalty to Pawar after he ditched his mentor and veteran Congress leader AR Antulay about 15 years ago. Thereafter, Tatkare built up NCP in Raigad district which used to be the bastion of the left win Peasants & Workers Party.

A senior NCP leader told Business Standard ''Tatkare's announcement is just a formality. He will soon take over as the state unit chief. Party chief Sharad Pawar during his meeting with the party ministers held on Sunday had already asked Tatkare to be prepared to take up a new job in the party ahead of assembly poll.''

NCP leader admitted that Tatkare will step down as minister and fully devote to rejuvenate state unit so that NCP improves its tally in the coming assembly poll.

Incidentally, NCP had also considered state public works minister Chhagan Bhujbal and also state home minister RR Patil to head the state unit. Bhujbal, who hails from the other backward class, had headed the party after it was formed in 1999.

However, his strong objection against NCP's support to provide 20% reservation to Maratha community in education and jobs went against him. As far as RR Patil is concerned, he had also led the state unit in the past, faces challenge from BJP in his Tasgaon assembly constituency in Sangli district.

Tatkare's name has been considered especially after he received a clean chit from the special investigation team (SIT) in its report on the alleged multi crore irrigation scam. Apart from Tatkare, Ajit Pawar, who was water resources minister during 1999 & 2001, was also absolved so also former water resources minister Mahadev Shivankar, Eknath Khadse.

Opposition parties however, may get an opportunity to take on NCP if Tatkare becomes new state unit chief. BJP in particular has already warned to approach court for SIT's clean chit to Ajit Pawar and Tatkare in the alleged irrigation scam.