political activities have gained momentum within Congress Party to find a suitable leader who could replace Balasaheb Thorat as Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee Chief (MPCC). Name of Nana Patole, the Speaker of Maharashtra State Assembly is being considered strongly. In case Patole’s name gets green signal, Congress may propose to make ex-Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, the Speaker of Maharashtra State Assembly. By appointing Sandhya Sawalakhe as President of Party’s Women wing, Congress has given clear indication, that leader from Vidarbha would be chosen to head MPCC. Sawalakhe is from Yavatmal. Two names are strongly doing rounds for the MPCC Chief’s post--one is of Nana Patole and other is of Sunil Kedar.

 

If Party wants to appoint Patole as MPCC Chief it can’t do that immediately as Patole is holding the constitutional post of Speaker. In that case giving charge to Kedar is much easier for the Party. Similar issue that is troubling Congress now regarding Patole, arose a few years ago, when Shivajirao Deshmukh, the then Deputy Speaker was inducted into Congress Working Committee (CWC). The issue had come for discussion whether Deshmukh could become CWC member while holding the charge of constitutional post. The party had taken opinion of Dr Anant Kalse, the then Principal Secretary of Maharashtra State Legislature. Dr Kalse had studied several aspects of the issue.

 

He also tried to find out the solution by going through the rules mentioned for House of Commons and House of Lords and then gave green signal that Deshmukh could become CWC member while working as Deputy Speaker. But sources in State Legislature say, there is a huge difference between a CWC member and heading the party at State-level. Being MPCC Chief, Patole has to campaign for Congress which he can’t do remaining in Chair of Speaker. All India Congress Committee (AICC) is giving a thought to make Prithviraj Chavan, the Speaker.

 

Chavan who was Chief Minister in last regime had decided not to become Minister when Mahavikas Aaghadi came to power. According to sources Congress was in dilemma over ministry to be given to Chavan as he had enjoyed the Chief Ministership. But now Party feels though the post of Speaker has low celebrity status, Chavan may not find it below-dignity. Name of Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister Sunil Kedar is still in race. Everybody is criticising Congress over its factions in State. Against that backdrop, the Party High Command is seriously thinking of rebuilding the party. According to sources in Delhi, the Party wants the leader who can provide influential leadership. Kedar has his style of working which he has shown in recently held elections.