Cong tries balancing act with ticket distribution

Rather than allowing incumbent Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde (Solapur South) a free run of the place, the high command has nominated at least two other contenders for the top slot — former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh (Latur) and former state Congress president Ranjeet Deshmukh (Nagpur West).

Since the high command has not given any firm indication that Shinde will be allowed another stint in office if the Congress-led alliance gains a majority, the leadership issue is obviously open. More so, when the going is not too easy for Shinde in his own constituency. Shinde’s nervousness was evident from the way he went to the CPI(M) office here recently, to plead in person with Sita Ram Yechury for a tie-up, after the CPI(M) indicated that it would field a candidate from Solapur South.

Ranjit Deshmukh has obviously pinned his hopes on a good showing by the Congress in its traditional stronghold of Vidarbha, where he is from.

Then, there is former CM Shivajirao Patil-Nilangekar, who is contesting from Nilanga. He is not exactly in the race, but having occupied the post earlier, is one of the natural claimants in case of a vacancy.

MPCC chief Prabha Rau, a staunch loyalist of the Nehru-Gandhi clan, is not contesting for the Assembly after her defeat in the Lok Sabha polls from Wardha. Given her clout with the clan, however, she can also emerge as a favourite.

Even while allotting tickets to close relations of important leaders, the Congress high command cannot be charged with a partisan attitude. If Shinde’s son-in-law Raj Shroff has been given a ticket from Malabar Hill in Mumbai, Varsha Gaekwad, daughter of Eknath Gaekwad, MP, has been put up from Dharavi. Ashok Chavan, son of former chief minister S.B. Chavan is the party nominee from Mudkhed, Mushtaq Antulay, a close relation of another former chief minister, A.R. Antulay, also figures among Congress candidates.

The Congress’ same please-all approach goes far beyond the choice of its own nominees. The party has, therefore, taken all and sundry — from NCP to Left parties, RPI factions, RJD and even two independents — under its wings.

It is another matter that this magnanimity has left the Congress with just a little more than half of the total 288 seats, in a state where it has a very formidable base.