Speculations about the NCP’s next state president will be put to rest on Saturday afternoon, when the party’s national president Sharad Pawar will announce the name. However, with less than 24 hours left, there is still frantic speculation going on in party circles.
While speculations are high that the present party president Madhukar Pichad will continue for another term, Mr Pichad is said to be interested in being a minister. There were rumours that Mr Pichad may get an extension for a shorter term, but party leaders said there is no such provision in the party’s constitution.
Among other names making rounds include the name of ministers like Babanrao Pachpute, Sunil Tatkare, Laxmanrao Dhobale and even Chhagan Bhujbal, as well as R.R. Patil.
Political experts said the party is definitely looking forward to appointing a state president who can work for the party on all playing fields. From extending the membership drive to raising the amount of party funds, the incumbent is also expected to be someone who can go around the entire state and propagate the party’s policies.
While Mr Pachpute who had been the state president earlier too fits the bill to the tee, senior leaders Mr Patil and Mr Bhujbal are also more than competent. However, it is unlikely that the party will do away with any of these strong ministers. Mr Tatkare, said to be close to DCM Ajit Pawar, has many plus points, but the DCM would not spare him for the job, leaving it to speculation between Mr Dhobale and Mr Pachpute.
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4 ex-watchmen held for burglary
Age Correspondent
Mumbai, June 1
The crime branch on Friday arrested four persons who used to work as watchmen in residential societies and later committed housebreakings. While they have admitted to burgling a residence in Vakola from where they stole around `15 lakh, investigations are on to ascertain if they are involved in more such cases. The police said the robbers were arrested just before they were planning to flee to Nepal.
Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police (crime) said, “Investigations revealed that the watchman of a building in Prabhat Colony had allegedly burgled the house when it was locked. He broke open the door of the flat with his associates and decamped with loot worth `14.96 lakh.”
“We acted on a tip-off that the gang would be at Bandra terminus to flee to Nepal, laid a trap and apprehended them,” said senior police inspector, crime, Deepak Phatangre.