by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Exclusive report
Pawar throws Maharashtra bait to Mayawati
Wants her to be Dalit face in the state
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, July 31
A new political script is being written in Maharashtra by NCP president Sharad Pawar and if it goes as per plans, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati will play a crucial role in the months to come in the state.
The possibilities of Sharad Pawar and Mayawati holding their first joint rally in the Vidharbha region are being explored. The broad contours of this proposal were discussed between Sharad Pawar and Mayawati when the two met last week here. In fact, Sharad Pawar took an unusual step when he decided to drive down to the Gurudwara Rakabganj office of Bahujan Samaj Party to meet Mayawati. Details of this 60-minute meeting are now surfacing slowly and Sharad Pawar is keen to mobilise the Dalits in Maharashtra in a big way.
The NCP supremo is of the considered view that the Republican Party of India has split into various factions and have lost their credibility with the voters in the state. Another prominent Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar is unwilling to join the Congress-NCP alliance in the state, though efforts were made by the NCP leadership in this regard. Though his own base has dwindled considerably, he is still a respectable face. But his unwillingness forced Sharad Pawar to look for alternatives.
It was in this context that Sharad Pawar decided to talk to Mayawati if she was keen to play a major role by joining the mega alliance of the NCP and Congress. Mayawati's BSP has strong pockets of influence in the Vidharbha region and other areas too. This major vote bank can be channelized if Mayawati is introduced as part of the alliance and give a major fillip to the anti-BJP vote bank. The consolidation of Dalits would be possible as Mayawati is emerging as their national face.
It is not clear whether Sharad Pawar discussed the new role of Mayawati in Maharashtra with the Congress or not. But Rahul Gandhi had held three rounds of talks with Sharad Pawar and discussed alliances across the country. On all the occasions, Rahul Gandhi drove down to the residence of Sharad Pawar. But when it came to Mayawati, the Maratha leader chose to visit her and wants her to seal alliances early. Pawar's bait to Mayawati to play a crucial role in Maharashtra is tempting as Mayawati is working hard to expand her base outside UP. Pawar was not available for comments and Mayawati is always elusive.
Ends
