Arun Gujarathi’s induction in the state cabinet gives rise to speculation of that Deputy CM RR Patil would step into his shoes as state NCP President.
Gujarathi could vacate the top post after his induction in the state cabinet
State NCP President Arun Gujarathi’s induction in the state cabinet has been approved by the top leadership, thus giving rise to speculation of Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil stepping into his shoes as organisational head in Maharashtra.
There is pressure within the organisation to have a popular leader like Patil to head the NCP in the next assembly elections in 2009. But shifting Patil would lead to a major reshuffle in the top slots of the organisation. Pawar is exploring various options and has already held consultations with senior cabinet ministers.
With Water Resources Minister Ajit Pawar not interested in becoming the deputy chief minister, the party bosses are wondering whom to elevate up the ladder. The name of Finance Minister Jayant Patil to take charge of home is also being discussed. But his close aide said, “Jayant Patil has indicated that he is not very keen on taking home department and is pleased with finance matters.”
Although officially, the NCP spokesperson and Patil have dismissed the theory of a cabinet reshuffle, the buzz in the party is that a change is inevitable.
Highly placed sources indicated that, “Patil and Pawar’s meeting with Sharad Pawar was to finalise the cabinet reshuffle.” Both Pawar and Patil were hurriedly summoned to Delhi on Wednesday. Highly placed sources in the organisation revealed that at least two cabinet ministers were likely to be dropped, or their portfolios changed, as Pawar was not pleased with their administrative duties.
NCP leader Babasaheb Kupekar and Nawab Mullick also figure among those to be rewarded as new ministers in the forthcoming cabinet expansion-cum-reshuffle. The induction of new faces will lead to changes in the top slots, senior party leaders indicated.
Insiders hinted that Arun Gujarathi is likely to be tipped for either the ministry of finance or the ministry of higher and technical education.
However, a cabinet minister close to Pawar said, “Discussions have taken place, but Sharad Pawar alone knows the final shape of the cabinet. Nobody in the party can predict his decision.”
Several NCP ministers and party aspirants along with their supporters called upon Patil at Mantralaya and the NCP headquarters on Thursday morning. The same afternoon, the home minister left for a campaign in Malegaon.
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