Walse-Patil's election brings much cheer to Ambegaon

PUNE: Wednesday's unseasonal downpour, could not dampen the festive mood in Ambegaon, hometown of senior NCP leader Dilip Walse-Patil, who was been elected as the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. Although celebrations were toned down, many of his supporters were keen to leave for Mumbai to personally congratulate Patil.
While Patil's name was proposed by the ruling Democratic Front on Monday, the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance had fielded city MLA from Kasba Peth, Girish Bapat, for the post.But on Wednesday morning, Bapat withdrew his name from the fray, thus allowing Patil to win unopposed. However, Patil's was faced with some uncertainties as former speaker Babasaheb Kupekar, also of the NCP, had expressed his resentment over not being considered either for a ministerial berth or for the post of the Speaker.
Though Wednesday brought with it some cheer for Walse-Patil's supporters, the mood was not quite the same some days back. The first damper had come last Saturday when Patil's name did not figure in the list of ministers. Though Patil has earlier held key portfolios like finance and energy, he was kept out of the state cabinet this time. It was only after Patil's election as the Speaker on Wednesday that his men finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, many of Patil's supporters feel that the new assignment will limit' the minister's public life.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, one of Patil's close supporters said that if he would have become a minister it would have given him more chances to be in the lime light. "His election as the speaker will put lot of limitations on his participation in various public programmes. We feel that he has been sidelined," the supporter said.
Though many more of Patil's supporters are of the same opinion, they are positive that the NCP leader will make a come back.
Shivajirao Dhoble, director of Bhima Shankar Co-operative Sugar Factory and a strong supporter of Dilip Walse-Patil feels that Patil will make a come back as a minister in a few years.
Jaisingh Kale, chairman of B D College, run by Ambegaon Taluka Vidya Vikas Mandal, said, "Handling the house is a tough job. An educated and senior politician is required to deal with such a job. Patil will be able to carry out his task successfully." However, he could not hide his disappointment and added that the people and his supporters here were hoping that Patil would be given the charge of the power ministry.