Differences have cropped up within the Maharashtra unit of the Congress party over the delay in appointment of five ministers and filling up of vacancies at several state-run corporations.
Party legislators, MPs and office bearers have been talking openly against Chief Minister Ashok Chavan for his style of functioning. They alleged that he is working more like a corporate head and have not been addressing the concerns of all the groups within the Congress.
They are furious with Chavan for not entertaining their proposals citing administrative and procedural compulsions. More importantly, state leaders and workers feel that Chavan has failed to give them time and the party in general.
Chavan became the chief minister for the first time in December 2008 after Vilasrao Deshmukh stepped down in the wake of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. He got his second term in office after the Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 82 seats in the 2009 assembly elections.
Although its coalition partner NCP has filled up 20 posts in the council of ministers, the Congress was unable to induct five members due to internal bickering. Party members largely believe that a team led by Chavan is too weak and inactive compared with the NCP ministers.
They are also unhappy with the state government’s failure and administrative apathy towards infrastructure, agriculture and irrigation.
Party members feel that Chavan should have shown more maturity and political accumen in handling issues such as the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, Babhli irrigation project, ban on James Lane’s book and college admission.
Interestingly, the chief minister’s alleged failure to keep party members in good humour, has given handle to the anti-Chavan camp. The group, comprising former chief minister and heavy industries minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Revenue Minister Narayan Rane and Forests Minister Patangrao Kadam, has been active in mobilising party legislators against Chavan.
The simmering discontent within the Congress party comes at a time when the NCP has targeted Chavan for keeping their files in the cold storage. NCP ministers last week complained to party chief Sharad Pawar against Chavan’s autocratic style of functioning and said this will be harmful for the survival of the coalition government in the state.
Chavan, however, was not available for comment.
Manikrao Thakre, state party president told Business Standard, “Its true that party members including legislators, Mps and office bearers have large expectations from the state government. There is a rising impression that their work proposals are delayed at the chief minister’s level. However, I must say that Ashokrao (Chavan) has a different way of dealing with issues and is methodical. I have taken up the issue with Ashokrao for speedy action.”
Thakre said the issue has also been discussed with the party high command and the in-charge of Maharashtra. Thakre, however, made it clear there was no danger for Chavan.
On the other hand, a state party executive member, who did not want to be identified, said party members have a strong feeling that they have been sidelined by Chavan.
“Party members genuinely feel that the posts of the chairperson and members of various state-run undertakings as well as posts of special executive officers should be filled up without further delays. If the delays continue it will certainly go against Chavan.”
He said party legislators and MPs in particular are also disappointed against Chavan for not giving enough time in their respective districts and regions. “Ironically, Chavan’s frequent visits to his home district Nanded has been criticised by the members,” the Congress leader added.
