The lukewarm support within the Congress in preparing for the election to 10 municipal corporations has made Chavan shoulder the responsibility himself.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan is single-handedly steering the party for the poll battle ahead.
The lukewarm support within the Congress in preparing for the election to 10 municipal corporations has made Chavan shoulder the responsibility himself.
"The chief minister reckons that he will have to steer the local bodies' elections single-handedly as many seniors and experienced ministers and party leaders are not cooperating as desired," said sources in the chief minister office (CMO) on condition of anonymity.
It was the same scenario during the election to 27 municipal councils in the state in December 2011, said party insiders. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had surged ahead of the Congress in the council polls.
"Leaders who matter have confined their work to their respective constituencies or individual candidates. Nobody is willing to take the responsibility for the local bodies' elections. As a result, the onus to steer the party to polls solely lies with Chavan," said leaders in Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
A major reason for ‘abandoning’ Chavan is factional fight within the Congress, making it difficult for ministers or leaders to put up a united show in elections.
Another reason for Chavan handling the tough task alone is because of lack of collective decision-making. "The lack of collective decision-making has disappointed many senior Congress leaders and cabinet ministers in taking the initiative for poll preparations," said political managers.
Chavan has excellent rapport with the Centre which makes him function independently. This has irked many leaders as they feel sidelined.
Chavan has clearly indicated that the outcome of the elections to municipal corporations and zilla parishads will reflect on his governance. Realising that the number of days for poll campaigns is only 12, he has already begun pre-poll campaigns. The chief minister began his campaign for local bodies' elections from Latur, the constituency of former chief minister and Union minister for science and technology Vilasrao Deshmukh.
"Overall, there are half-a-dozen ministers representing the state and the Centre who are working as silent spectators restricting their poll preparations to their constituencies as they want to test Chavan's political leadership," said senior minister representing Mumbai suburbs. "Some of his competitors feel if the Congress fails in the local bodies elections central leadership will have to think of change of guard in Maharashtra."
Unlike the NCP, the Congress has not set a target for its ministers or office bearers for the polls. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has given his ministers and senior leaders a target, a condition to get tickets for 2014 assembly polls.
"Those who manage to get candidates elected in zilla parishads or corporations will be rewarded with a assembly ticket for 2014 polls," said sources in the NCP.
Unfortunately, Chavan cannot usher such strict rule in Congress as it would trigger an open revolt in the party.
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