Local party leaders prefer stalwarts who can take on BJP over rookie Pradnya VII
NS Congress’ sitting Rajya Sabha MP Rajiv VII passes away The post-Covid-19 complications in April this year have left a void in the party leadership at the national level as well as in Maharashtra.
A member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Satav was considered his party’s mainstay in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of the state, as well as a close aide of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
An able Youth Congress president, Satav was a good orator and as general secretary in charge of the Gujarat elections in 2017, the Congress fought a fervent battle to come to a credible second place, winning 77 of the 99 seats of the Bharatiya Janata Party. (BJP).
Now, with the Rajya Sabha bypolls scheduled for October 4, sympathies lie with his wife Pragya Satav, who, according to sources, is lobbying hard for the seat.
Nevertheless, a section of the regional and local party leadership feels that the lack of experienced leaders within the Congress in the Upper House will be a key factor in choosing a candidate and awarding the seat to a rookie like Ms. Satav. A veteran can prove a mistake.
Given that the party has only 33 members as opposed to the BJP’s 94, every seat matters and candidates should be chosen judiciously, feels a section of the party’s regional leadership.
“Before the untimely death of her husband, Ms. Satav was never active in politics. He has to work and prove his worth. In this sense, it may send a wrong message to the party rank and file if a political newbie like him is chosen over the veterans. Given the party’s dangerous hold at the state and national level, we need a belligerent leader who can corner the BJP in the Upper House,” said a senior Congress leader requesting anonymity.
An analyst found that Ms. Satav has already been appointed party vice-president in the Maharashtra State Congress Committee (MPCC) so that she can learn the ropes.
“Congress will have to choose its candidate carefully. It needs a leader capable of taking on the BJP in the Upper House. With P. Chidambaram retiring in July next year and Ghulam Nabi Azad’s term already ending, there is a need for experienced leaders to navigate the party through turmoil at the state and national level,” he said.
strong contender
The seat is believed to be eyeing several stalwarts, including former Union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde and Sanjay Nirupam, while AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik and former party in-charge of Rajasthan Avinash Pandey are believed to be the strongest contenders for the seat. Rajya Sabha seat from Maharashtra.
Yet another section of the party’s leadership believes that former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who represents the Karad South assembly seat in Satara district, will be a huge asset to the party in the Rajya Sabha.
“Mr. Intellectual minded Chavan not only has extensive political experience, but has been fiercely contesting the Modi government on several economic issues in recent times. He is a very vocal speaker, an ideal choice to take on the BJP in the Rajya Sabha. Will be.’
He said that while the Congress is generally strong in the Vidarbha region, if Mr Chavan is considered for a Rajya Sabha seat, a young face in Satara may be given a chance to fill in for Mr Chavan to help him investigate. So to receive. The growth of the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party and the BJP in the region while fostering a youthful leadership within the party.
Mr. Wasnik also draws comparisons with other candidates: the face of a significant backward community within the Congress, he is emerging as a trusted organization in Vidarbha politics and within the Congress’s organizational structure at the national level. The person who has the approval of Sonia Gandhi.
On the other hand, despite Mr. Pandey’s strong skills as an organization, his alleged failure to handle the ‘rebellion’ led by Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot eventually led to Mr. Pandey’s removal as party in-charge of Rajasthan. , may go against his candidature and give Mr. Wasnik an edge, feel some observers.
“He [Mr. Wasnik] Held the Central Parliamentary Affairs Department and served as Social Justice and Empowerment in the United Progressive Alliance led by Manmohan Singh. He has also served as Junior Education Minister in the past and has been Member of Parliament for Ramtek and Buldhana Lok Sabha constituencies at certain times. Hence, it is a diversified portfolio that presents Mr Wasnik as a strong contender for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat,” said an election observer from Pune.
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