Apart from trying to manage caste equations in the regions, the selection of ministers from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) showed that party president and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has decided to rest the old guard, boosting confidence in faces who can deliver. Consequences for the party.
Under the leadership of Ajit PawarThe NCP has decided to appoint a mix of old and new faces, the main criterion being absolute loyalty to Ajit Pawar. The party, which is in favor of expanding its fan base throughout the province, has decided to give opportunities to the leading leaders of the province.
Addressing party workers on Sunday afternoon, Ajit Pawar said which will be given an opportunity to the MLA Ministers are responsible for touring across the state, keeping in view the upcoming civic elections.
“This government aims to hold the civic polls at the earliest… Those who are given the responsibility should now travel as much as possible and ensure a good chance for the party,” Pawar said, indicating that the new group of ministers had been given the go-ahead. in front of them.
In a surprise move, the party dropped two heavyweights — Chhagan Bhujbal and Dilip Walse-Patil — both known to be Sharad Pawar loyalists since the Nationalist Congress was formed. From 1999 to 2014, they were not removed from the cabinet. After the split in the NCP, both leaders joined the Ajit Pawar-led party and due to their seniority, both were inducted into the cabinet in the government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. .
By sidelining these two leaders, Ajit Pawar removed the remains of his uncle Sharad Pawar from the cabinet.
The selection of ministers also showed that the NCP under Ajit Pawar is trying to establish and work on new caste relations in various areas. After ditching Bhujbal, Ajit Pawar loyalist Dhananjay Munde will now be projected as the new OBC face of the party.
Another staunch Ajit Pawar loyalist Dattatreya Bharne – a Dhangar leader from Pune district – will be projected to handle the Dhangar movement demanding Scheduled Tribe status. Along with this, Narahari Jirwal, a tribal leader from North Maharashtra who strongly opposed the demand, will play the tribal face of the party in the state.
Hasan Mushrif is the only Muslim face in the cabinet. The party has tried to maintain regional balance by giving a chance to Babasaheb Patil – a Maratha – from Latur in Marathwada. Indranil Naik of Pusad in Yavatmal, Vidarbha belongs to a powerful Naik family, with a powerful presence in the Banjara community.
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