Mumbai : With the NCP’s in dire straits after the poll debacle and majority of its heavyweights facing inquiries by various investigating agencies, Supriya Sule has finally been moved centrestage by party chief Sharad Pawar.
Her position in the party became evidently clear when she, alongwith a few second-rung party leaders, launched the NCP’s agitation in Marathwada region on Monday to protest against the inept handling of the drought situation by the BJP-Shiv Sena government in the State.
Pawar Sr manifested the process a month ago, when he had led a morcha against the state government at Osmanabad. In that morcha, he had announced that on September 14, the party would resort to Jail Bharo agitation in Marathwada over the drought situation.
The leaders who were entrusted with the responsibility of the Jail Bharo agitation lacked controversial political heavyweights and supporters of Ajitdada Pawar. The agitation was launched by leaders like Rajesh Tope, Jayant Patil, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh and Jaidutt Kshirsagar under Supriya’s leadership. Political stalwarts like Ajitdada, state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare and Chhagan Bhujbal remained away.
The metamorphosis has been gradual over the past several years. However, it picked up momentum after the NCP faced a miserable setback in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections coupled with several senior leaders facing charges of financial irregularities. Ever since, a series of measures, including organisational changes have been put in place.
Ajitdada’s detractors appear to be gaining ground in the party, with Vandana Chavan from Pune being appointed Rajya Sabha MP, Jaidev Gaikwad also from Pune being made member of the legislative council and Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar’s son-in-law Rahul Narvekar being made an MLC.
Similarly, the NCP’s state womens’ wing chief Vidhya Chavan was replaced by Chitra Wagh. Sachin Ahir was made the city NCP chief (with Ajitdada’s aide Kiran Pawaskar getting sidelined) and while the state unit is being headed by Ajitdada’s aide Sunil Tatkare, it is populated by several of his detractors.
Apparently jittery over the outcome of the ongoing investigations, the party leadership may change its State chief and replace Tatkare with a more sobre and acceptable face like Rajesh Tope.
The fact remains that taking into consideration the party’s plummeting fortunes at the hustings as well as the fate of vital leaders hanging in balance with investigating agencies, the party’s message is loud and clear about Supriya emerging as the heir apparent.
Rakshit Sonawane
