Exclusion of Dilip, Vijaysinh a big surprise for political circle

Mumbai, Nov 7: The exclusion of Dilip Valse-Patil and Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil from the list of Cabinet ministers has surprised many in political cricles.

Mr Valse-Patil, considered as very close to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, was made a cabinet minister in 1999. After Mr Pawar removed his relative and energy and higher and technical education minister Padamsinh Patil in the wake of allegations levelled by veteran social activist Anna Hazare, Pawar allotted energy portfolio to Mr Valse-Patil. He had been getting elected as MLA since 1990 continuously.

Political circles here were agog with the rumours that Mr Valse-Patil fell out of Mr Pawar's favour over some contract in energy department.

When former deputy chief minister R R patil was forced to leave the Cabinet in the wake of 26/11 attack, Mr Pawar handed over home to Jayant Patil while divesting him from finance and gave the same to Mr Valse-Patil.

His exclusion was considered as the downfall of the young politician who would go to any extent to be loyal to his master.

There were rumours even during the assembly elections that Mr Valse-Patil may not make it to assembly. However, he succeeded in winning the seat but not the ministry. Now there are rumours that he may be considered for the speaker of the assembly.

The exclusion of Mr Mohite-Patil was another shocker. It is expected that he will be rehabilitated as the Maharashtra NCP president, thereby continuing the tradition of giving the ministry to the defeated leaders.

NCP had made Babanrao Pachpute a state unit president after he lost elections in 1999. Similarly, Arun Gujarathi was preferred for this job after later lost in 2004. Again, the state presidentship was given to R R Patil after he resigned as the DCM in the wake of 26/11 terror attack.

The touch of Ajit Pawar seems to be prevailing everywhere.

Many leaders including Vijaysinh Mohite Patil, R R Patil who are very close to NCP supremo are not on very good equation with his nephew Ajit. The Pawar junior prefers to rely more on the newcomers like Sunil Tatkare and Dr Rajendra Shingane.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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