Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
AMID THE growing rift between allies BJP and Shiv Sena, the NCP is set to convene a key meeting of its newly-elected MLAs on Wednesday. Sources in the party said that NCP, which has so far maintained that it will sit in Opposition, would hold deliberations on the current political scenario in the state. The meeting is also likely to see discussions regarding who should lead the party in the Vidhan Sabha.
In the October 21 polls, the NCP had pipped the Congress for the third slot overall. In the event of BJP-Shiv Sena forming the government, it is set to get the key Leader of Opposition’s post in the new Assembly. The Congress had held the post in the outgoing Vidhan Sabha, as it had won 42 seats compared to 41 of the NCP. In the recent elections, the NCP managed to win 54 seats compared to Congress’ 44.
NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil are the frontrunners for heading the party’s legislative wing. Ajit Pawar, a former deputy chief minister, has won from Baramati for the seventh consecutive time. He was also the leader of the legislative party in the outgoing Assembly, before he resigned from the post last month.
Patil, also the Maharashtra NCP president, is currently the party’s leader in the lower House. The denial of the prestigious post could be seen as a personal setback for Ajit Pawar as there has been talks of an internecine conflict within the Pawar clan over leadership of the NCP post-Sharad Pawar.
Dhananjay Munde, after his strong performance in the Parli Assembly seat, could also be in the reckoning due to his experience in leading the party in the Legislative Council. While the MLAs are expected to elect their leader, NCP chief Sharad Pawar will have a major say in who will head the party in the House.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
