Ahead of Lok Sabha, State polls, change at NCP helm

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is set for organisational change ahead of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly polls next year.

Sunil Tatkare was appointed as one of the national general secretaries of the party on Thursday after he requested the party leadership to relieve him of the post of the State unit president. His replacement will be appointed at a party meet on April 29 in Pune.

‘In strong position’

Sources said that party president Sharad Pawar would choose the new State chief from contenders, including former finance minister Jayant Patil from Sangli district, and Shashikant Shinde, another confidante of Ajit Pawar, from Satara district. A senior party leader said, “No one can tell who will be Mr. Pawar’s choice. But chances are that the party will again rely on a strong Maratha face from Western Maharashtra, as it wants to hold on to its base.”

Mr. Tatkare, who held a four-year term as the State unit chief, told reporters that he didn’t want to continue in the post and had asked the party to appoint a new leader. Mr. Tatkare said, “I was appointed in 2014 and tasked with improving the party’s prospects after the poor showing in the previous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. I believe I have done justice to the responsibility. Today, NCP is in a strong position in the State.

“The state unit is geared up to face elections. We have done the groundwork and the party is ready to take-off. I have requested the party to nominate a competent leader for the post.”

Mr. Tatkare earlier held the post of State Irrigation Minister and his tenure was marred by allegations of an irrigation scam. However, there was no proof of his direct involvement in the scam. Mr. Tatkare hails from Raigad district in Konkan region and is a staunch loyalist of the former deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar.