Union heavy industries minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has started drawing strategies to make inroads into Maharashtra. Deshmukh who has publicly expressed his ambition to lead the state for a third term as chief minister is leaving no stone unturned to take the centre stage of poll planning. He has deployed his key associates across the regions.
The presence of AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh in election management of western Maharashtra, which is NCP president Sharad Pawar’s stronghold, is also seen as a favourable move for Deshmukh. It is no secret that Singh supported the return of Deshmukh as chief minister for the second time. Many in the MPCC wonder if Singh will back Deshmukh for a third term.
On his part Deshmukh has decided to focus his attention in Vidarbha (60 seats) and Marathwada (48 seats) which together accounts for more than 100 assembly constituencies out of a total of 288 seats in the state. He is banking on getting more seats from these regions so that he can seek the support of the MLAs for the top slot in the state. Since last fortnight Deshmukh has embarked on exhaustive tours and programmes across the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
Sensing Deshmukh’s game plan chief minister Ashok Chavan is also geared up. Chavan reckons that if he has to retain his seat he will have to deliver in the coming polls. He has started a consultation process with individual MLAs to elicit their support.
Congress cabinet ministers have already appraised the central observers that selection of candidates should be through thorough consultations. Revenue minister Patangrao Kadam held a meeting with Singh and Industries minister Narayan Rane is in touch with the top leadership of AICC.
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