CM bypasses Delhi darbar

Insiders in the party say that the leadership change is imminent to counter anti-incumbency

Barely 24 hours after his detractors stepped up their campaign, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh wandered through the scenic forests of Bhamragarh (Gadchiroli) for three hours, albeit through E-Travels, accompanied by NCP president Sharad Pawar on Friday morning.

While his detractors posted a dozen informers at New Delhi to closely monitor the politicking, Deshmukh foxed everybody by bypassing the Delhi durbar and stayed put in his office at Mantralaya. From clearing important files to attending the Knowledge Corporation’s presentation, the chief minister attended to his duty as usual.

Exuding confidence, the CM tried hard to conceal the dissidents’ unrest. The chief minister’s office made every attempt to convey: Deshmukh is in command and there are no problems. The sixth-floor CM office was abuzz with activity.

At the other end on the same floor, Revenue Minister Narayan Rane was also seen doing his office work. For a change, the attendance of ministers from Congress and NCP was almost hundred per cent. The talks of change had kept ministers on their toes.

The political uncertainty at the Centre arising out of UPA-Left Front rift has given momentum to political instability in the state with echoes of leadership change getting shriller.

Sensing that mid-term polls are round the corner, the state Congress has intensified its campaign to find an alternative of Vilasrao Deshmukh to counter the anti-incumbency factor. The Congress poll managers realise that Maharashtra with 48 Lok Sabha seats will play a vital role in the next general elections.

Sources in the AICC told DNA, “The question before us is whether the state Congress is confident to face the mid-term polls under the present leadership or not. We have to gauge what alternative we can provide to consolidate the party’s electoral gains. If Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde can promise a better electoral dividend than Deshmukh, is the crucial question being discussed within the AICC.”

The sustained campaign against Deshmukh by the Congress has irked the NCP. A senior NCP cabinet minister said, “The anti-Deshmukh campaign does not auger well for the administration. Why should NCP suffer from an image crisis because of Congress infighting?”

Senior bureaucrats in Mantralaya admitted, “The issue of leadership change propping every three months from the Congress quarters has badly affected the functioning of the administration. The economic and social growth of any state requires a climate of continuity and stable leadership.”

Senior MPCC general secretary who was part of the 97-member delegation led by Prabha Rau said, “Sonia cold-shouldered Rau during her New Delhi visit and also snubbed Deshmukh for his insensitive remarks against farmers.” Gandhi’s political advisors are now urging Rau to bring in fresh and non-controversial Congress workers in the MPCC.

A close aide of Rane said, “The Revenue Minister held talks with both Gandhi and her political advisor Ahmed Patil last week in Delhi. Followed by a dinner meeting with NCP president Sharad Pawar.”

A section within the Congress also indicated how AICC general secretary Margaret Alva was trying to get MPCC president post for Rane, replacing Rau. as chances of his becoming chief minister looks difficult with Shinde as a front-runner in the race.