Amid call for leadership change in NCP(SP), Patil tells detractors to show their report card

The party’s poll performance had prompted many leaders to demand a change in the leadership — Jayant Patil has been holding the state president post for almost seven years now.

According to sources, during the meeting, demands were raised to give the organisational responsibility to non-Maratha leader and someone who can give full-time for party work.

Some leaders also raised the demands to give additional responsibilities to young MLAs Rohit Pawar and Rohit Patil.

Speaking on these demands, Patil said, “It is a reality that demand has been raised to give new office bearers and new state chief. How long I alone can work? I am ready to quit in eight days. But give me the boothwise data of each of you and let me see what you have done (in election). It is easy to speak, but difficult to get a good person for the job.”

Patil said that it is not easy to run the party.

“Making a fiery speech is not always useful. One needs to keep a cool head in front of aggressive workers,” he said.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) chief and veteran politician Sharad Pawar reportedly told the meeting that he is ready to bring organisational changes at tehsil and district level and open for the inclusion of new leaders in the organisation.