While the Congress-NCP is confident of winning the Assembly polls,at least 13 heavyweights,across political parties,hope to find themselves in the chief ministers chair: •n Ashok Chavan (Congress) Chief Minister Son of former Union minister late S B Chavan,Ashok took over from Vilasrao Deshmukh as the CM 10 months ago,following 26 Advantages: Younger than others in the race. Non-controversial. Disadvantages: Has detractors in the Congress (such as Deshmukh) and NCP (such as Chhagan Bhujbal). Disliked by NCP ministers,who accused him of not clearing their files. Will face a tough task in getting support of the MLAs in case of a fractured mandate. •n Narayan Rane (Congress) Industries Minister Once a firebrand Sena leader,but now the Industries Minister in the Congress-NCP cabinet. Holds sway over Konkan region. Got his elder son Nilesh elected to Lok Sabha. Wants to promote his younger son Nitesh in politics. Advantages: Was the CM in 1999 during the Sena-BJP regime. After joining the Congress in 2005,managed to win over Sena MLAs into the Congress-fold,enabling the party to become the single-largest by increasing its strength from 69 to 75 in the Assembly. Disadvantages: A rabble-rouser. Had criticised Deshmukh,MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre,Ashok Chavan and some Delhi leaders when denied chief ministership. Also lacks pan-Maharashtra appeal. •n Vilasrao Deshmukh (Congress) Union Minister Former chief minister and now Union Minister for Heavy Industries. Was groomed by S B Chavan (Ashok Chavans father) in politics and has been anti-Sharad Pawar like his mentor. Was CM from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2004 to 2008,when he had to quit following 26 Is promoting his son Amit (Assembly candidate from Latur City) in state politics. Amit,if elected,can vacate seat if Deshmukh returns to state. Advantages: Has the seniority and experience for the job,besides being very diplomatic. Disadvantages: Has a laid-back attitude. Too many detractors in the Congress and the NCP. •n Sushilkumar Shinde (Congress) Union Minister Was CM from January 2003 to October 2004. Is the ever-smiling Dalit face of his party,without having a mass following among the Dalits. Doesnt appear to be keen on becoming the CM. Wants to promote daughter Praniti in state politics. Advantages: Has the seniority and experience for the job. Has strong loyalty towards Gandhi family. Disadvantages: Is seen as a non-serious politician. During 2004 polls,had promised free power for farmers,but after polls said such promises should not be taken seriously. Is not a Maratha. •n Patangrao Kadam (Congress) Revenue Minister A senior minister from western Maharashtra,he runs an education empire. Advantage: Has administrative experience. Disadvantage: Very casual approach. •n Manikrao Thakre State Congress chief A former minister from Vidarbha region the farmer suicide belt he took over from Prabha Rau a year ago at a time when Rau and Deshmukh were at loggerheads on various issues. Advantages: During his tenure the Congress won 17 Lok Sabha seats and is expected to improve its tally in the Assembly. Can adjust to emerging situations,was from the Deshmukh camp,but made peace with Rane as well as Chavan within a year. Disadvantages: Lacks a strong mass base like his competitors in the party. Has detractors within the party. His administrative skills are yet to be tested. •n Ajit Pawar (NCP) Water Resources Minister The nephew of NCP chief Sharad Pawar,who is known as Dada in party circles for his outspokenness. A man of few words,but often has the last word in party matters. Advantages: The most powerful leader in the party after his uncle. Marathas rally behind him. Keeps a low profile and shies away from the media. Disadvantages: His detractors accuse him of bulldozing his decisions through. •n Chhagan Bhujbal (NCP) Deputy Chief Minister The partys OBC face and one of the founders. He left the Sena in 1991 and joined the Congress. Advantages: Has the seniority and experience to govern. Has pan-Maharashtra appeal. Disadvantages: Is not a Maratha. Is promoting his clan after nephew becoming Lok Sabha MP from Nashik,his son Pankaj is contesting for the Assembly from Nandgaon. Has been controversial and was named (but emerged clean) in the Telgi stamp scam. •n R R Patil State NCP chief Former deputy chief minister known to shoot his mouth off and land in trouble. Had to quit as the deputy CM after 26/11,but was rehabilitated as state NCP chief. Advantages: Has a clean image. Disadvantages: Has a rustic image and gets carried away during discussions to make impulsive remarks that become controversial. •n Uddhav Thackeray(Shiv Sena) Sena supremo Bal Thackerays son and the partys executive president. Is a softspoken person. Advantage: Hardworking politician. May change the face of Sena,making it more broad-based. Had launched campaigns like Mee Mumbaikar and organised Chhat Puja for North Indians. Disadvantages: Not a fiery orator like his father. Has no administrative experience. His ascension to the post led to revolt by Narayan Rane and cousin Raj Thackeray. His overtures towards non-Marathis have helped rival Raj. •n Manohar Joshi (Shiv Sena) Ex-Lok Sabha Speaker Is the most potent survivor in the Sena and the most obvious choice,if Uddhav refuses to become the CM. Advantages: Is close to Bal Thackeray. Is diplomatic and softspoken. Was the chief minister during Sena-BJP regime from 1995 to 1999. Disadvantages: His detractors view him as the person who has benefited most in the party. He represents the older generation that is not such a favourite among the youth. His son Unmesh is a business partner of Raj Thackeray. •n Gopinath Munde (BJP) National general secretary of the BJP and brother-in-law of Pramod Mahajan. He is the only state-level mass leader in the party who can draw crowds. Is currently promoting his daughter Pankaja (who is contesting from Parli,Beed) and Mahajans daughter Poonam (from Ghatkopar West,Mumbai) in state politics. Advantages: Was deputy CM during Sena-BJP regime (1995-99). Is an orator who can inspire cadres. Disadvantages: Is from an OBC community,not Maratha. Does not get along with the Brahmin group within the party. •n Nitin Gadkari State BJP chief He is the most powerful Brahmin face of the BJP. Hails from Vidarbha,where the party has strongholds. Advantages: Knows the state and its issues. As PWD minister in Sena-BJP government,changed the face of Mumbai by constructing numerous flyovers. Disadvantages: Lacks pan-Maharashtra appeal. Is currently an MLC.
