Vilasrao becomes ‘hot property’

Union industries minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has suddenly become the most sought-after politician. State cabinet ministers of the Congress and NCP seem to be eagerly seeking out his company in Delhi.

There are talks of a realignment of forces within the Congress after it emerged that revenue minister Narayan Rane and forest minister Patangrao Kadam held secret meetings at Deshmukh’s Delhi residence a few days ago. High on the agenda of the trio at the moment is to push a candidate of their choice for Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president. The present MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre is no longer their favourite. On his part,
Thakre is vying for a cabinet berth in the government.

Apart from the ministers, there are at least a dozen members of parliament who are eagerly waiting to have ‘chai-pani’ with Deshmukh. Now, the purpose of the meetings is kept a closely guarded secret. Insiders revealed that Deshmukh has become the rallying point for all state ministers, MLAs and MPs who are unhappy with chief minister Ashok Chavan. Strangely, when Deshmukh was chief minister, Rane and Kadam never missed an opportunity to attack him for his ‘complacency’. Well, there is an old saying: An enemy’s enemy is a friend…’

Pawar equations shake up NCP
When Sunil Tatkare was given as significant a portfolio as the finance ministry after the 2009 assembly elections, many in the NCP wondered what his magic formula was? The question was inevitable as more suitable candidates like Jayant Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil were picked over Tatkare.

It gradually, dawned on the party that the decision to hand over the finance portfolio was taken by Ajit Pawar, the silent mover and shaker in the organisation. Elevating Tatkare to finance minister had created a lot of unrest in the organisation.

Since then everybody has been looking at Tatkare as a close aide of Ajit (Pawar). Last week, while replying to a debate on the ministry of power in the state assembly, Ajit (Pawar) almost confirmed the fact. While referring to some issues related to finance he glanced behind him and seemed extremely pleased to find Tatkare seated in a row behind him. Smiling, Ajit quipped, “I know, I can always count on your support. You have always been with me.” Tatkare was seen blushing at the unexpectedly candid admission by his political master. His colleagues are now asking Tatkare how he managed to elicit the compliment from Ajit (dada) who shuns sycophants...

MNS gets its claws out against BMC 
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has taken its battle against the Shiv Sena right to the state legislative assembly. The MNS, through a calling attention motion, has never missed an opportunity to expose the poor functioning of the BMC, led by the Shiv Sena. Whether it pertains to ‘nullah safai’ (drain cleaning) or ‘water logging’ MNS members continue to point fingers at the functioning of the BMC.

When asked, MNS leader in the assembly, Bala Nandgaonkar, smiled mischievously, saying, “We are raising matters related to the problems of Mumbaikars.” But, the Sena-BJP members in the opposition candidly admit, “In the absence of a coordinated floor strategy every individual has the right to pursue his/her politics.”

The Congress, which has taken the MNS’s support for granted, is enjoying itself at the shenanigans of the warring rivals. As a senior floor coordinator in the Congress said, “Remember, on his birthday, Raj Thackeray had cut a cake in the shape of a BMC structure. Running the knife through the BMC cake was symbolic, indicating that he wants to end the Sena rule there.” The MNS obsession with the Sena is a good sign for the Congress, which can breathe easy...