Cong split in Maharashtra imminent

Those in the Pawar coterie, of course, are clear that they will support 8220;their leader8221;, since the issue8217; he raised is of national proportions, above that of party considerations.

Pawar confidant and MP from Wardha Datta Meghe was among the first to resign this afternoon. Sudhakarrao Naik, former chief minister and a foe-turned-friend, followed suit, resigning from his Washim Lok Sabha seat. Both predicted a split with massive support for the new formation that Pawar will cobble together.

In the meantime, indecision and discussions feed off each other. Former PCC president and MP Shivajirao Deshmukh, known to be a Pawar loyalist, was in touch with both camps today. Vijayshinh Mohite-Patil, former minister and MLA, made courtesy calls at both places. Then there were surprises like Gurudas Kamat, MP from Mumbai Northeast, who seemed to have switched loyalties from Pawar to the party.

The man of the moment in Mumbai is Chhagan Bhujbal, leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and a trusted Pawar lieutenant. He claimed that 8220;80 per cent of the Congressmen8221; will join Pawar and the spate of resignations from the party will soon begin.

Madhukar Pichad, his counterpart in the Legislative Assembly, recuperating at an ayurvedic clinic in Kerala, is expected to return in the next few days after which the Congress Legislature Party CLP, said to be laden with Pawar supporters, will make its next move.

Ironically, Bhujbal is holding forth on the recent developments as Congress Legislature Party CLP leader though his loyalties are crystal clear. He does not plan to resign nor has the Pradesh Congress Committee communicated anything to him.

8220;I am CLP leader because of Pawar and the MLAs. Only they can remove me,8221; he said. Pawar loyalists from across the state call him to get the latest updates and seek advice on their next move. MLAs, district presidents and party workers mostly from western Maharashtra called his office through the day, asking when Saheb8217; Pawar will announce the new party or formation.

Bhujbal himself would love to have exact information on this.

For, only then can the party split become a reality. The strategy is to network at an informal level with as many Pawar loyalist workers and MLAs as possible in the next few days and then call a CLP meeting for those who do not wish to remain in the Congress.

Done this way, the MLAs avoid being disqualified from the Legislature since Bhujbal is confident of getting more than two-thirds of the party8217;s 77 MLAs. 8220;Everything will settle down and crystallise in the next two-three days. Today everyone is a bit confused and looking for signals,8221; said a Pawar loyalist MLA.

Meanwhile, the Pradesh Congress Committee attempted to put up a show of strength and jubilation after Pawar8217;s expulsion from the party. After sacking four district presidents who did not sign letters of support to Sonia Gandhi in the last few days, the PCC has been in a belligerent mood, looking daggers at anyone who seemed to be close to the Pawar camp.

However, a decision to expel Pawar loyalists is 8220;a harsh one and will have to be taken after deliberation and thought,8221; said a senior PCC office-bearer.

PCC president Prataprao Bhosale exuded confidence, believing that a split, if it happens, will not affect the party or its election prospects in any manner. 8220;We don8217;t expect too many MPs and MLAs to go with Sharad Pawar,8221; he said.

8220;Congressmen will stand solidly behind the party.8221;

Asked how an imminent four-cornered contest will affect the party8217;s fortunes this time, Bhosale said 8220;everything depends on the new formation that Pawar forms8221;. The party is still open to an alliance with the Republican Party of India RPI, he added.

Both sides are confident of getting the numbers. But everything depends on the signals and assurances that the top bosses send out in the next few crucial days.

Watching Chhagan Bhujbal

The Pradesh Congress Committee PCC has conveyed to Madhavrao Scindia, AICC general secretary in charge of Maharashtra, the position taken and statements made by Chhagan Bhujbal since Sharad Pawar was expelled last night. Bhujbal being the leader of the Congress Legislature Party CLP, the PCC can do little about his open defiance of the party and his allegiance to Pawar, but the PCC letter hopes Scindia will take some action soon. Bhujbal is the key man for the Pawar group in Mumbai and Maharashtra.