Sources say that the outreach is an attempt to do four things at a time.
In order to claim the void left behind by the Congress in Maharashtra, the NCP has silently launched a massive outreach programme. The outreach is not limited to Maharashtra; it also includes Gujarat where Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel has been visiting frequently.
Speaking exclusively to dna, NCP leader Praful Patel said, "NCP is on the field to reconnect with people. This is to show that our track has been good and have handled job responsibly." Sources say that NCP continues to remain bitter about the fact that campaign against them stemmed more from the Congress than BJP before the assembly elections.
Under the current dispensation, Maharashtra PCC Chief Ashok Chavan has maintained a low profile because of the Adarsh scam and the current leader of the party in assembly doesn’t enjoy the stature of his predecessors. NCP understands that a void exists.
Sources in the NCP say that the outreach is a course correction and to recreate a different template of alignment with Congress if the need arises. “Congress cannot take us for granted. Even giving away of the position of Chief Minister in the past was a mistake and will ensure that it never happens again,” said Praful Patel.
Patel says that NCP has a second tier of leadership which includes him and Supriya Pawar and through the outreach, the next generation is being established across Maharashtra. The NCP, however, remains flexible on the issue of alliance with the Congress and says that relationship as of now is on a need-to-work basis.
Sources say that the outreach is an attempt to do four things at a time. First, it wants to wipe away the impression that by supporting BJP at the time of government formation, NCP has conceded its ideological space. Second, NCP wants to become the dominant partner when it comes to the Congress in case the need arises to hammer out an alliance pre or post assembly election. Third, NCP is of the view that it can occupy the space left by the Congress and can become principal opposition to the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance by going aggressive on selected issues. And lastly, it wants to give the message that nothing should be taken for granted this time around.
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