Sharad Pawar will have to power his party alone

Sharad Pawar is all the star power that the NCP has this time. The party’s campaign for the assembly polls is literally going to be a one-man show by its president.

With other high-profile leaders, like former deputy chief minister RR Patil and home minister Jayant Patil, pegged back in their respective assembly segment, the NCP is banking on Pawar to hold at least 45 to 50 rallies across the state. Backing him up will be his daughter, Supriya Sule, Member of Parliament. The party hopes that her charm will win over women voters for the NCP.

Prakash Bhinsale, campaign coordinator for the party, said, “The process of filing of nominations will be over on September 29. Our campaign will open on September 30, and close on October 12.

Even if we fit in four to five meetings a day, there cannot be more than 50 rallies by Pawar.” The NCP chief wants the campaign to start earlier. And, in spite of his ill health, he has asked his political managers to pack at least five to six rallies every day.

RR Patil, the second most popular NCP leader, will not be able to campaign across the state as he has to concentrate on his new constituency, Tasgaon-Kavathe Mahankal. His original constituency is lost to delimitation.

Deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, another dynamic NCP campaigner, is facing challenge in his constituency, Yeola. Moreover, he will have to campaign for his son, Pankaj, who is trying to get a ticket from Mumbai. So, Bhujbal, too, will not be able to move around much. Other NCP leaders, like water resources minister Ajit Pawar, finance minister Dilip Walse-Patil and energy minister Sunil Tatkare, will also be tied to their respective seats.