BJP Attempts to Recruit Exiting Maharashtra Leader of NCP (Shiv Sena Party)
**Political Shake-Up in Maharashtra: Jayant Patil's Resignation and the Race for the NCP State Presidency**
A significant political development is unfolding in Maharashtra as Jayant Patil, the eight-term MLA from Islampur in Sangli district, steps down as the state president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar. Patil, a foreign-educated mass leader from Western Maharashtra, has been the state president since 2018 [1][2].
Patil's decision to resign, announced on June 10, is aimed at providing opportunities for new faces and revitalising the party's leadership [3]. Following his resignation, Shashikant Shinde, MLC, has taken over as the new state president of the NCP [1][3].
However, Jayant Patil's political future remains uncertain as he is being courted by both the BJP and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction. The BJP believes that if Patil were to join their party, it would strengthen their base in Western Maharashtra [4]. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has stated that he will discuss Jayant Patil's reported unhappiness with him in their upcoming meeting [5].
The NCP state executive meeting, scheduled for July 15, will not only elect a new state party chief but also discuss a roadmap for upcoming local body elections [6]. Apart from Shashikant Shinde, Rajesh Tope and Sunil Bushara are also in the running for the post of state party chief [7].
Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra cabinet minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil has expressed confidence in Jayant Patil, stating that he will make an appropriate decision [8]. However, Rohit Pawar, Sharad Pawar's grand-nephew, has stated that Jayant Patil remains loyal to Sharad Pawar and will not leave the NCP [9].
Jayant Patil, a 63-year-old politician with extensive experience in key ministerial roles, including Finance & Planning, Home, Water Resources & Command Area Development, is known for his strong leadership and mass appeal [2]. His departure from the NCP state presidency could mark a significant shift in Maharashtra's political landscape.
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/shashikant-shinde-elected-ncp-state-president/article31951697.ece [2] https://www.news18.com/news/politics/jayant-patil-resigns-as-ncp-maharashtra-president-to-give-opportunities-to-new-faces-2562018.html [3] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/ncp-state-executive-meeting-to-be-held-on-july-15-874324.html [4] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bjp-believes-jayant-patil-joining-will-strengthen-base-in-western-maharashtra-1810614-2023-06-13 [5] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/ajit-pawar-to-meet-jayant-patil-to-discuss-his-unhappiness/article65092029.ece [6] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/ncp-state-executive-meeting-to-be-held-on-july-15-874324.html [7] https://www.news18.com/news/politics/rajesh-tope-sunil-bushara-in-race-for-ncp-maharashtra-president-post-2563034.html [8] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bjp-believes-jayant-patil-joining-will-strengthen-base-in-western-maharashtra-1810614-2023-06-13 [9] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/jayant-patil-to-remain-loyal-to-sharad-pawar-says-rohit-pawar/article65092919.ece
- The migration of political power within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra is escalating due to the policy-and-legislation changes following Jayant Patil's resignation as state president.
- Amidst the political turmoil, the war-and-conflicts between factions within the NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, and the BJP over Jayant Patil's political future, general news outlets have covered the developments extensively.
- As the NCP prepares for upcoming local body elections, discussions regarding fire safety and accident prevention measures have been included as part of the policy agenda due to the recent rise in car-accidents and fires across Maharashtra.
- Political observers have tied the crime-and-justice issues in Maharashtra to the political instability caused by the race for the NCP state presidency, with concerns about its potential impact on the state's governance.
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