- News>
- India
Crucial NCP meeting in Mumbai today
Mumbai, Dec 24: A crucial two-day convention of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a key ally in the Congress-led democratic Front (DF) government in Maharashtra, begins here today in the backdrop of resignation by its leader Chhagan Bhujbal as Deputy Chief Minister.
The meeting, to be held at NCP office in south Mumbai, will be
chaired by NCP chief Sharad Pawar and is likely to prepare a road
map for next year's elections and discuss alliance with the Congress.
The meeting, which will begin at 1430 hrs, will deliberate on
among other things the political situation in the state, pre-poll
alliance with the congress in view of the assembly polls next year,
performance of party ministers in the Shinde government and steps to
rectify the damage caused to the party in the wake of the fake stamp
scam.
Pawar has given time till December 31 to the Congress to
decide on a pre-poll alliance.
NCP leaders have already said the party would give a befitting
reply to opposition for levelling ''baseless allegations'' against
Bhujbal in the fake stamp scam.
Pawar had already given a clean chit to Bhujbal, who had
resigned yesterday owing moral responsibility for an attack on the
office of the Zee TV here. The Bhujbal resignation will also figure
in the meeting.
The meeting is likely to decide Bhujbal's successor. Probable
names expected to be discussed for the crucial post include that of
NCP ministers Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, R R Patil, Ajit Pawar, Dilip
Walse-Patil and Madhukar Pichad, party sources said.
However, the final decision on this issue will be taken by
Pawar.
Over 130 delegates, including NCP legislators and members of
parliament, are taking part in the convention.
Bureau Report