Click to play videoMumbai: Just six months after he was dismissed as Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh is in the Capital to be sworn in as a Cabinet minister.
In Maharashtra’s political sphere, it is Deshkukh who is largely given the credit for gains the Congress party achieved in the General Elections 2009. So, now Deshmukh demands a reward.
With Shivraj Patil taken retirement from politics, Deshmukh is the only leader left from the region. His role becomes significant when the Congress takes in the Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena in the Assembly elections.
The wily Deshmukh can negotiate harder with probably ally, National Communist Party (NCP)’s Sharad Pawar.
Pawar will be the first hurdle to cross before the Congress faces the real political challenge.
Deshmukh plays another important role for the party. He is a reliable fund manager and every time the party goes into poll mode his need is felt. And he couldn't have been kept out of a ministerial council when eight others from Maharashtra were being sworn in.
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