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Journalism of Courage
Vilasrao Deshmukh didn’t wait for Sonia Gandhi’s team of arbiters to check his popularity. As the Congress’ familiar backroom machinations kicked in, he held his own, clever trial of strength today.
Staying away from the meetings that Congress observers had through the day with party MLAs, the Chief Minister informally told many legislators — many of whom are perturbed that this drama might cost them the State — that he would be available for ‘‘consultations’’ at his official residence, Varsha.
With Congress president Sonia Gandhi set to sack him, with crucial support from seven independents — with him until yesterday — waning, and with his allies, the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), saying they would not be a part of the next government, Deshmukh expected a poor turnout, said sources close to him.
But much to his pleasant surprise, a large number of party legislators, including his arch-rival, Industries Minister Patangrao Kadam, actually showed up at Varsha.
So did Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rohidas Patil, another contender, though his supporters were careful to note that he just ‘‘dropped by’’ to say he wouldn’t be able to make it to the weekly cabinet meeting.
While Deshmukh’s great game unfolded, observers Vayalar Ravi, Pranab Mukherjee and Ghulam Nabi Azad went through the motions of asking MPs, MLAs, former Congress chiefs and allies what they thought. Disgruntled workers who thronged the State guest house, Sahyadri, said if a decision had already been taken to change Deshmukh, there was, in the words of one, ‘‘no need for this farce’’.
But the farce played itself out:
• The Maratha lobby started whispers that only one of their own should become CM.
• Others said three-fourths of Congress MLAs were opposed to Sushilkumar Shinde as chief minister.
• Deshmukh supporters touched the feet of his bete noires, Govindrao Adik, Kadam and Rohidas Patil when they visited Sahyadri.
• Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, of ally Nationalist Congress Party, was pressurising his party to oppose Shinde, whom he regards as a threat to his power base in Solapur district.
So how many Congressmen showed up at Varsha? A Deshmukh follower claimed there were 69 legislators, including some from the upper house. A rival said there were less than 30. The numbers weren’t as important as the evidence that Deshmukh has something to fight with.
The curious legislators thought Deshmukh might plead for their support — or dramatically announce his resignation. But that did not happen. Deshmukh briefed them on his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi on January 12.
‘‘It will not be proper to disclose the entire discussion here, but I must say that the issue of leadership was discussed at the meeting,’’ said Deshmukh. ‘‘I said that before taking any final decision, the views of all the party legislators must be ascertained.’’
Then Deshmukh asked the legislators to submit their views to the Congress observers and that he will abide by the decision of Sonia Gandhi.
As the small gathering was about to disperse, Education Minister Ramakrishna More asked Deshmukh why — if Sonia Gandhi had not decided to change their leader — were some senior cabinet members and legislators saying the Chief Minister had been sacked.
Most of the legislators were stunned by More’s unexpected intervention. But former CM Shivajirao Patil-Nilangekar, yet another contender, hastily said that he too was in New Delhi, but did not demand a change or criticise Deshmukh. Clearly, Deshmukh’s rivals haven’t written him off yet.
