Nagpur News: It would be a double treat for Dalit leader Prakash Gajbhiye. First, the NCP Corporator and party’s Maharashtra Backward Class Cell President was nominated as MLC by State Governor, and now, NCP leadership is considering to make him Minister, albeit for a short period. If sources are to be believed, an announcement to the effect is possible within a week.
According to sources, NCP was deeply planning to subdue another Dalit leader Ramdas Athawale, an ally of BJP-Shiv Sena combine, in view of coming Assembly elections and his enormous reach in the community across the State. The plan appears to be succeeded. First, the NCP leadership, in a well-planned strategy, got the local firebrand leader and a Dalit face Prakash Gajbhiye nominated as an MLC and now mulling to make him Minister. An announcement in this regard is likely soon. If the NCP plan holds any water, the Gajbhiye may be allocated the Ministry held by former minister Faujia Khan. A Dalit leader of Gajbhiye’s caliber would prove crucial and beneficial to the party in the coming Assembly elections, thinks the NCP leadership.
It may be recalled, Ramdas Athawale too was very close to NCP and a beneficiary in bagging plum posts. But for bigger ambitions, Athawale joined the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and now it is called “Mahayuti” (Grand Alliance). And the Dalit leader was also awarded for his political coup when he was made a Rajya Sabha member from BJP quota.
Now, after becoming MLC, Prakash Gajbhiye has revealed his priorities. On his pursuit are regularization of slums that came up after the year 2000, setting up of Buddhist Theme Park and a modern IAS Coaching Centre in city.
Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha(rajeev.nagpurto
