Operation Sideline Pawar
Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
As the 'war of succession' against Sitaram Kesri intensifies, the clamour for sidelining Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar seems to be increasing in the Congress.
In his bid to grab the Congress Parliamentary Party leadership, Pawar has reportedly incurred the wrath of several leaders.
Gunning for the Maratha's blood, the leaders have persuaded Sonia Gandhi to take over both top jobs. Unaware of this, Pawar set out to sell his proposal to Sonia on Tuesday night. He reportedly requested her to take over the party reins, leaving the CPP post for him, according to a senior party leader from Madhya Pradesh.
Sonia, it is learnt, has favoured such an arrangement for 'the time being', so that the party can make its mark in Parliament as a vibrant Opposition.
Another senior leader, however, recalled how Sonia harped on the party's opposition to giving Pawar a key role. She also referred to Kesri's anti-Pawar views at her meeting with the Maratha.
With the CPP poll just three days away, both the camps have intensified their lobbying at 10 Janpath.
Elections '98
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