Power call: Sharad Pawar likely to return

As it becomes apparent that there could be a hung assembly, no one in the NCP-Congress is talking about who'll be the next CM.

As it becomes apparent that there could be a hung assembly in Maharashtra, no one in the NCP-Congress is talking about who'll be the next CM. With the Congress, as usual, leaving all to the 'high command,' there could be a dark horse emerging on the horizon: Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

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Although Pawar denies any ambition to return to the state, sources say that he might be preparing to do so. He has globalisation plans for the state with an emphasis on farmers and agricultural produce.

According to these sources, if the Congress-NCP was to win this election, the agriculture ministry would have outlived its utility for Pawar. He helped the Shinde government evolve a package for farmers and if the secular alliance was to return to power, Pawar will be able to do more for them as CM than as a Union minister.

Pawar has a distinct vision for Maharashtra and how to tailor globalisation to farmers' needs.

"Multinationals are here to stay and, of course, will come here to seek profits," he said. "My view is that we must also get something from them in return. So if they want to sell their cheese, it had better be milk from our farms."

According to sources close to Pawar, he wants to replicate this success story from Baramati across the rest of Maharashtra.

Governor wants alliance details
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Maharashtra Governor Mohammed Fazal has asked all political parties to furnish information before October 18 on their electoral alliances for the purpose of government formation in the state.

In a letter to all parties on Tuesday, Fazal has asked them whether they would continue their electoral alliance even after the elections.

With indications that the results in Maharashtra will be a close finish, the directive has come probably to check the horse trading that follows.