Mumbai : In a surprise move, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has secured the resignations of all his party ministers at the State level and has set the process of cabinet reshuffle rolling.
With an eye on Lok Sabha elections, Pawar may drop PWD minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Rural Development Minister Jayant Patil, PWD (Public Enterprises) Jaydutt Kshirsagar and Water Resource Minister Sunil Tatkare forcing them to get ready for the 2014 poll battle. State unit president Madhukar Pichad is all set to enter the cabinet and a new and young face is expected to be appointed as new president.
Except Ajit Pawar, resignations of all ministers were taken. Though, it is not yet decided when the swearing in will be taken, it is expected that it may be done before the next cabinet meeting generally held on Wednesdays. This indicates that this may be done after June 10 as the day is celebrated as foundation day. But the next president may be announced by June 10.
In the afternoon, Pawar made it clear that a few ministers will have to march to New Delhi. He is worried about party’s future prospects in forthcoming Lok Sabha elections as even after a decade of the party’s formation, he has failed to get two digit seats in Lok Sabha. Keeping in mind the possible picture of next Lok Sabha, Pawar is aiming to win at least 18 to 20 Lok Sabha seat so that his bargaining position would improve at national-level politics.
“The decision of taking resignation of ministers for reshuffling the cabinet was taken 9 months back at a meeting held at Praful Patel’s house. But Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan was delaying it for one or the other reason. Today’s decision should be seen as expression of unhappiness of Pawar on CM’s tactics and Congress,’’ a senior leader of the party briefed.
He has simultaneously taken the resignations of certain other key party functionaries, including the state NCP president, after a party convention here today.
Pramod Chunchuwar
