NCP expands core group; Bhujbal, Munde included
What's the story
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has expanded its core group from three to seven members. Party chief Ajit Pawar announced the decision on Friday.
The newly formed group will be led by Pawar and will include national executive president Praful Patel, state unit chief Sunil Tatkare, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, and Dilip Walse Patil.
Cabinet exclusion
Bhujbal's inclusion seen as appeasement move
Chhagan Bhujbal's inclusion in the core group is seen as a conciliatory gesture after he publicly expressed displeasure over being left out of the state cabinet.
Since December, Bhujbal has been vocal about being sidelined by the party leadership.
An NCP leader revealed that while Bhujbal was offered a Rajya Sabha seat, he insisted on responsibilities within Maharashtra.
Controversial inclusion
Munde's appointment stirs controversy amid murder case
The appointment of Dhananjay Munde, who is currently mired in a controversy around a murder case, in the core group has also raised eyebrows.
Munde is accused of shielding Walmik Karad, who is involved in the murder of Massajog-Beed sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
Despite demands for his dismissal from all quarters, Pawar has stood by Munde and included him in this influential group within NCP.
Group objectives
Core group's mandate and focus on local body elections
Tatkare has clarified that the core group was formed "for the organization's expansion, policy decisions, and implementation of people-friendly schemes."
Besides, the group will also focus on the upcoming local body elections.
This strategic expansion from three to seven members is stated to strengthen the NCP's decision-making process at both the state and national levels.