NCP announces seven member disciplinary committee

Mumbai, June 14 (UNI) With a view to curb rampant factionalism within the state unit, Maharashtra Pradesh NCP today announced the formation of a seven-member disciplinary committee, headed by senior leader Madhukarrao Pichad.

Addressing a press conference here, party spokesman Prakash Binsale said all complaints of factionalism, groupism and indiscipline by leaders and officebearers received by the state unit from different districts so far would be looked into by the committee. It will be empowered to recommend action against the guilty and also sort out differences through negotiations between warring groups.

Apart from Mr Pichad, the members of the committee include Srinivas Patil, Janardhan Waghmare, Ankushrao Tope, Moreshwar Temburne, Majid Memon and Ms Usha Darade.

Mr Binsale attacked BJP general secretary Gopinath Munde for his continued criticism of Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar over the crisis in the sugar industry due to overproduction of sugarcane.

He alleged that Munde has lost his mental balance as he was linking any issue to cricket.''It was because of Mr Pawar that sick sugar units in the state were re-started and special package of Rs 25,000 crore was given to agriculture sector. Instead of criticising Mr Pawar, Mr Munde should explain what steps he had taken to crush sugarcane of cane growers in his sugar factories,''he added.

Mr Binsale said politicians of all hue feel they need to criticise Mr Pawar to climb the ladder of politics. ''Now is the turn of a new entrant called Raj Thackeray,''he said. Asked how he could refer to Mr Thackeray as a new entrant in politics, Mr Binsale said he (Raj) is yet to prove his ability as a leader as compared to Mr Pawar.

Referring to the current Sharad Rao-BEST management stand off in Mumbai, Mr Binsale said the party was of the view that both parties should stay away from ego and prestige issues and work together for the welfare of the BEST, which is an efficient public transport utility.

UNI