The blaze of bad publicity involving their leader over the last couple of weeks has dented the morale of leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party days before its 11th anniversary.
The blaze of bad publicity involving their leader over the last couple of weeks has dented the morale of leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) days before its 11th anniversary. But egged on by Sharad Pawar, the man at the centre of it all, they have decided to go ahead with the celebrations on June 10.
The NCP has postponed its celebrations at the national level, but will have a week-long programme in the state. But the celebrations will be low-key, confined only to social programmes. The party was founded on June 10, 1999.
Sensing the mood in the party after the Indian Premier League (IPL) bid controversy, Pawar (who was admitted to Breach Candy hospital on Tuesday evening for a minor throat surgery) has taken it upon himself to give their sagging spirits a boost.
“Instead of preparing for the hospital, he spent the first half of the day with state leaders discussing politics. I was amazed at his ability to keep the show going even in times of adversity,” said an NCP leader. On Tuesday, Pawar held meetings with party leaders and cabinet ministers at his Mumbai residence and outlined strategies for the council elections (June 10) and Rajya Sabha elections (June 17). State NCP president Madhukar Pichhad, home minister RR Patil, water resources minister Ajit Pawar and deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal were among those who met him.
“Pawar was his usual self, carrying out his daily administrative and party work. At no point did he give any indications of worries,” one of his close aides said.
In the afternoon, Union minister for finance Pranab Mukherjee visited Pawar to inquire about his health. “The Mukherjee-Pawar meeting was a courtesy call and was nothing political,” said NCP spokesperson Madan Bafna.
However, political managers said the meeting is significant as it comes 48 hours after the Congress left Pawar to fend for himself in the IPL controversy. “Mukherjee’s visit has sent across the message that the Congress is concerned about the well-being of Pawar,” a party leader said.
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