Dhananjay Munde is likely to be NCP’s next state prez

The success of the Halla bol campaign across the state has established Dhananjay Munde as an aggressive young leader. These achievements of Munde have made Sharad Pawar, chief of Nationalist Congress Party, think of him for the post of president of state NCP.

The state executive meeting of NCP will held in Pune on Sunday in which Pawar will announce the name of the new state president. Munde is expected to replace outgoing president Sunil Tatkare.

According to a party insider, Pawar has asked Munde if he can handle both positions — Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Legislative Council and state president. The source said, Pawar is keen that Munde handle both positions as there is no strong alternative in the council for the position of LoP who can take on the government.

“Pawar noticed how Munde got support during the Halla Bol rallies. We have one-andhalf year in our hands for the assembly polls. Before that we have to face Lok Sabha poll. During this short pan, the new president has lot of challenge before him and nees to strengthen the party,” said the source.

He added, “Jayant Patil or Ajit Pawar if selected for the post can gather mass, but can’t convert them into party workers. Instead, Munde can attract the young generation and build the organisation. He can boost party workers.”

The source claimed that Munde agreed to take up any position Pawar offers him. “He is ready to accept only the post of state president or even ready to remain as just the LoP or accept the challenge of holding both positions and roaming across the state to build the organisation,” said the source. “Party leaders tried to convince Pawar to give a chance to other leaders to hold either position as they are not in power and do not have more options to hold key posts. But Pawar has made up his mind that Munde should lead the state and the council house to target BJP and Shiv Sena in the House and outside,” the source claimed.