Undecided on LoP, Congress witnesses infighting in Maharashtra

“We want to choose a Leader of Opposition who would not turn to the party’s opponent,” a senior leader said, explaining the cautious approach being taken by the high command in choosing the new LoP. “None of the Opposition leaders in the past several years has remained loyal to the party. Circumstances have forced him to jump ship or rebel against the parent party. The list includes, Eknath Khadse, Eknath Shinde, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Ajit Pawar. The priority is to break this cycle and to not appoint a leader who may switch over,” the leader said, on the condition of anonymity.

Another source said that the high command is mulling over giving a chance to the second rung leadership of the party to which seniors like Balasaheb Thorat and Ashok Chavan have agreed. The four names being discussed are Yashomati Thakur, Sunil Kedar, Vijay Vadettiwar and Sangram Thopte. Among these four, three are from Vidarbha while Thopte hails from Pune in western Maharashtra and represents a political family which has been a traditional opponent of NCP president Sharad Pawar and also of Ajit Pawar.

“However, choosing a leader from Vidarbha would jeopardise state unit president Nana Patole who also comes from Vidarbha. The party cannot give two important posts to Vidarbha. There has to be regional balance,” the source said, implying that the Patole group isn’t willing to extend support to a leader from Vidarbha for the LoP post. When asked, Patole rubbished the speculations saying the high command will soon announce the decision.

Thopte, who is the juniormost among the four, is reportedly rallying party MLAs in his support by taking their signs on a letter recommending him. He, however, denied it. “My name could be under consideration but I have not asked MLAs to sign a letter for me,” he told The Indian Express.

Another leader from Delhi said that the NCP has not yet opened all its cards as neither Sharad Pawar nor Ajit Pawar have declared their respective strengths. “We must also consider that there is one CM and two powerful DCMs who need to be tackled. The choice has to be considering all of this,” he said.