A meeting of NCP legislature party held here on Monday authorised president Sharad Pawar to name the new leader, who would be Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister.
“A one-line resolution was passed at the meeting, authorising Mr. Pawar to name the new leader,” NCP state unit spokesman Madan Bafna said.
Mr. Pawar’s nephew and water resources minister Ajit Pawar is in the fray for the post, he said. Other aspirants include R R Patil and Chhagan Bhujbal, party sources said.
The NCPs 62 newly-elected MLAs met at the party office to elect their legislative leader. Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel was among the observers deputed to oversee the process.
