20 June,2011 06:43 AM IST | | Sanjeev Devasia
Party promotes north Indian leaders to keep the community in good humour ahead of upcoming BMC elections
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) seems to have suddenly woken to the reality that north Indian voters may make or mar its prospects in the upcoming civic polls in the city.
Sharad Pawar
So the NCP, largely seen as a Marathi party, has now decided to woo north Indian leaders by giving them plump posts in the party, apparently thinking that the move will help win over their community, particularly voters belonging to UP and Bihar.
Recently, former Kalina MLA and NCP state general secretary Abhiram Singh was made the spokesperson of the party. Singh, a two-time MLA from Kalina, is a popular face among the north Indian community in the city. His appointment is seen as an attempt to keep the north Indians in good humour.
Earlier, Parasnath Tiwari, who was the state secretary, was promoted to the post of state general secretary. About a year ago, LB Singh, who was vice-president of the city unit of the party, was appointed secretary of NCP state unit.
"All of these appointments seem to be intended to woo North Indian leaders and in turn the north Indian voters. The NCP has failed to garner support of north Indian voters because it is seen as a Marathi party.
The NCP did not even share the spoils of power in the state with our community. Except Nawab Malik, no other north Indian leader of the party has been given any position in the government," said a North Indian leader, who did not wish to be named.
