Shashikant Shinde
Credit: X/@shindespeaks
Mumbai: Firebrand leader and former minister Shashikant Shinde is tipped to be the next Maharashtra president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).
Shinde (61) hails from Satara district of Maharashtra.
Shinde will replace Jayant Patil (63), who during the 26th foundation day of NCP (SP), expressed his desire to step down.
The announcement is expected to be made on Tuesday, when the NCP (SP) state executive committee would meet in Mumbai.
NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar and NCP (SP) Working President Supriya Sule would be present in the meeting.
The leadership transition comes ahead of Maharashtra’s local bodies and municipal corporation elections.
Reacting to the news, Shinde said: “It is an honour for me if my name has come up for discussions. I will take any responsibility that the parry assigns me.”
Patil, an 8-time MLA from Islampur in Sangli district, however, has not commented so far.
Reacting to the development, senior leader Dr Jitendra Awhad said: “Jayant Patil Saheb is the state president. The news of his resignation being circulated is nothing but mischief. The party functions under rules and discipline.”