NEW DELHI: The changing political equations within the Delhi Congress has led to emergence of new power centres and alignments that seem to have marginalised some of the old hands in the city politics. Observers feel that while Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken has emerged as the new leader in local politics, even as Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit continues to hold fort.

Political observers are of the view that DPCC president Ram Babu Sharma, a strong critic of the Chief Minister, has run into rough weather and his strength within the party has gone down dramatically. Although a section of the party has been lobbying for the removal of Mr. Sharma with the party high command, the Congress leadership continues to repose faith in him. The recent instance of Mr. Sharma's list of nominees being ignored for the newly constituted Governing Bodies of Delhi University colleges, while that of the Ms. Dikshit being accepted and his parting of ways with former DPCC president Subhash Chopra and former Minister Pervez Hashmi has come as a big blow to Mr. Sharma and his standing.

In addition to this, his continued indulgence and tactic understanding with Outer Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar and former MP R.K. Anand has hurt Mr. Sharma politically leading to uniting of all this opponents in the process. However, the staging of a successful rally at Talkatora Stadium on May 29 seems to have saved the day for the DPCC president who now is trying to forge an active working relationship with Mr. Maken for future political directions.

Observers felt that the manner in which Mr. Maken was applauded at the rally and his pro-active role in resolving the issues pertaining to demolitions and sealing has enhanced his political stature and individual image. It is learnt some Congress MLAs met Mr. Maken recently and extended their full support for the cause he had taken up in the interest of Delhi and the Congress.

"The very fact that the central leadership has made him a Minister in the Union Cabinet is indicative of his growing stature and close rapport with the party leadership. Now some dozen-odd MLAs are learnt to have extended their support to Mr. Maken. That is why the resolution not bearing Mr. Maken's name in the Congress Legislature Party meeting recently was withdrawn after protests by MLAs and passed after including his name indicating his growing support,'' a senior legislator remarked.

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