‘Who do you want for MPCC chief?’

Indian National Congress supporters cover themselves with the National Congress party flag to protect from the heat during a political rally of National Congress. Pic/AFP

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) is calling up selected party representatives from Maharashtra to know their choice of leader for leading the party's state unit. Last month, it used a similar method to seek the opinion of Mumbai's block presidents before appointing the city president.

About 560 members have been connected through the party's Shakti app. A pre-recorded message from party's state in-charge H K Patil asks the members to give at least three names they deem suitable for replacing Balasaheb Thorat, the incumbent Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief. The development suggests that the party has made up its mind to change the organisational leadership.

Sources said Patil recently sought inputs from sitting and former elected representatives from the legislature and the civic body, sitting and former office-bearers. He then thought of taking suggestions of the ground-level members as well, they added.

Some Congress leaders said the opinion poll wasn't the only parameter for selection, but in a way, it gave a sense of influence various leaders have. "There are many factors that can be in favour of or go against a contender. The opinion poll gives the grass-roots party members an impression of transparency and a sense of satisfaction that the party considers him/her valuable," said a senior party leader.

In Mumbai, the party relied on team work while appointing a new president. The AICC gave the city president a team of senior leaders who were all in contention for the top post and the responsibility of each leader was fixed by the high command. When Thorat was elevated as MPCC president, he was given region-wise working presidents. A similar model is expected to continue in the future.

Patil visited Mumbai early this week to meet senior leaders and elected representatives. Before his trip to the city, Thorat had gone to Delhi to convey his willingness to quit the post. He is said to have expressed displeasure over Patil's programme, which was decided without consulting him. Later, Thorat said he would not mind relinquishing the post and welcome a new face to strengthen the party.

Thorat, a low-profile leader from Ahmednagar district, emerged as a power-centre last year when he was made state unit chief, leader of Congress legislative party and revenue minister. No Congress leader has held such a powerful bouquet of responsible offices in recent history.