The appointment of the new NCP state unit will be decided on Saturday. Party chief and union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar has called an extended executive committee meeting to finalise the name of the new head of the state unit. MLA Jitendra Awhad, former minister of state Bhaskar Jadhav and home minister R.R. Patil’s name are said to be the frontrunners for the post.
Last Friday, Mr Pawar made all of his 20 ministers resign from the council of ministers and inducted six new ministers, including present state unit chief Madhukar Pichad. He also made it clear that since Mr Pichad has now been made the new tribal development minister, selection of the new unit chief would be made in the executive meet scheduled for June 15.
The entire exercise was said to be an attempt to strengthen the party for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls due in 2014. Mr Pawar said that the new state unit chief would be a fresh and young face and since then, Mr Awhad and Mr Jadhav’s names started doing rounds among the party functionaries. Some leaders clearly indicated that they want the home minister for the post.
Even deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has said that the party was under the impression that Mr Patil would be given the responsibility. However, the party chief has expressed the desire that a young and fresh face be given the responsibility.
As a result, Mr Awhad is said to be the strong contender as state unit chief, said senior party functionary. He said, “As of now no other young leader except Mr Awhad is so close to the party chief.”