As Lok Sabha elections enter its final phase, Congress is on the search for the leader of opposition for Maharashtra Assembly. Now, reports have surfaced saying that two leaders of the Congress party are front runners for the leader of Opposition.
According to DNA, Congress MLA from Vidarbha, Vijay Wadettiwar and senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat are the front runners for the position. The leading daily has quoted a source from the party saying, “In Vidarbha, the Dalit, Muslim and Kumbi (DMK) consolidation is likely to spell good poll prospects for the crumbling Congress party in the region. Apart from that, Wadettiwar’s contribution and dedication to the party makes him a front runner for the post. Wadettiwar played a vital role in bringing Kunbi leader and Shiv Sena MLA Suresh Dhanorkar into Congress. He also ensured that the ticket for Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency goes to Dhanorkar who was pitted against Union Minister of State, Home Affairs, Hansraj Ahir. Dhanorkar has fair chances of winning this seat.”
57-years-old Vijay Wadettiwar has been a vocal critic of the BJP government in the state. Wadettiwar is said to be close with the state Congress president Ashok Chavan and NCP chief Sharad Pawar. But, in the meanwhile, the arch-rival of former LoP Vikhe-Patil, senior Congress MLA and former revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat are also considered as a dark horse for this position. Sources in Congress told DNA, that battle for Shirdi seat, for which he contested, will play a major role in deciding his fate.
