NCP to raise RSS-like cadre

Bar on contesting elections, a code of conduct that says be a teetotaller, follow vegetarianism, stay away from unlawful activities, is something unheard of these days, especially for political parties.

The NCP wants to develop its base by modelling a handful of devoted party workers on the lines of RSS pracharaks. The party has decided to develop a separate wing of coordinators, devoted to strengthening the NCP base.

Future gazing: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar. File Pic

To do so, the party appointed 20 coordinators of which four will be for Mumbai and 16 for the rest of the state. Their first target will be the upcoming general elections for Lok Sabha and State Assembly, said an NCP office-bearer.

The coordinators will not contest any election and will only concentrate on districts assigned to them. They would be expected to organise meetings of sincere party workers, suggest names for newer responsibilities and induct new faces by judging their work and devotion to the party, said a coordinator.

"We are expected to spend 12 full days in a month for party work. We have been asked to report only to the chief coordinator and the party state unit chief," a coordinator said. Party insiders said these days, most of the party workers were hungry for power and lacked popularity among masses.

Hence, the party decided to develop a cadre of staunch party workers, who will exceed the party's expectations, and help NCP take on the Congress party in the future elections, as the grand old party was trying to win over NCP workers to weaken its base.

Party general secretary Shivajirao Garje said the objective behind the exercise was to develop a cell to strengthen the party's base. Commenting on the code of conduct, he said it was for personality development that will go a long way for the party.u00a0