Mumbai: In the wake of a disappointing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Congress party is preparing for a major leadership shake-up within the state organization. Sources suggest that the party leadership has decided to replace Nana Patole as the State President and is considering former Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan as his successor.
Despite Congress’ strong performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where it emerged as the largest party within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, the subsequent Assembly elections proved disastrous for the party, with Congress securing only 16 seats. This significant setback has prompted the party to make substantial changes at the state level, beginning with the removal of Patole from his position as State President.
Reports indicate that Chavan has received the Congress high command’s approval to take on the role. Chavan has already traveled to Delhi for further talks, signaling that his appointment to the post is likely to be confirmed soon.
In addition to Chavan, several other prominent names have been floated for the position of State President. These include emerging leaders like Satej Patil, Amit Deshmukh, Vijay Wadettiwar, and Yashomati Thakur. Thakur’s potential appointment has generated considerable interest, as it would mark a historic move, making her the first female leader to hold this important position in the Maharashtra Congress.
Vijay Wadettiwar and Satej Patil are also strong contenders due to their dynamic leadership within the party. Patil, a close associate of Rahul Gandhi, and Wadettiwar, the current Leader of the Opposition, are both seen as assertive figures capable of reinvigorating the party. Other names under consideration include Vishwajeet Kadam and Amit Deshmukh, who are regarded as promising new faces. Deshmukh is the elder son of the late Congress leader and former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, while Kadam is the son of the late leader Patangrao Kadam.
As discussions unfold, it remains to be seen who will be entrusted with the task of rebuilding the Congress party in Maharashtra and leading it to success in future elections.
