Pawar, who heads the powerful Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, conducted a whirlwind tour of Vidarbha region. Addressing a press conference after completing the tour, he said the survival of Rane government during the trial of strength on February 17 would be determined by the stand the Sena dissidents led by Ganesh Naik prefer to take.

Pawar, said, it is for sure that Naik and other rebels will quit the part but, what is important is the timing they chose to hit back at the Sena leadership. He added, if they feel the time is not opportune, then they will vote in favour of the alliance government and in that case Rane will not face any problems in winning the vote of confidence on February 17.

Analysing the political situation in the State, Pawar said Rane's elevation as the Chief Minister replacing Manohar Joshiwould make little difference to the sagging fortunes of the Sena-BJP alliance. According to him, there was not a single bright spot in Rane's performance as Revenue Minister. He has retained most members of Joshi's team. More importantly, the government would be starved of funds needed for developmental activities as the State is in the worst-ever economic crisis. In such a situation, cosmetic changes would not be of any help to the alliance during the coming polls, he said.

During his tour of the region, Pawar was accompanied by Jayantrao Patil, Chairman of Sakhar Karkhana Mahasangh, the State-level federation of sugar cooperatives. They inspected sugar cooperatives and cotton yarn spinning mills in the region to study the problems being faced by these units.

Pawar was of the view that all was not lost in case of sugar cooperatives in Vidarbha, though most of them are facing serious crisis. Barring two units in Akola district, sugar cooperatives in the region could be easily revived. A revival packagefor them has been worked out by Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, Sakhar Karkhana Mahasangh and Vasant Dada Sugar Institute. While the bank is prepared to extend additional loan of Rs 2 crore to each unit for promoting cane cultivation programme, the Mahasangh and the Institute will provide technical guidance and supply improved seeds. What is needed is the State Government's gesture, he said.

These sugar units are expecting that the State Government waive purchase tax on sugarcane and also plead their case with the Centre for exemption in Central Excise. Similarly, the State Government should come to the rescue of cooperative cotton yarn spinning mills by offering concession in power tariff, he felt.

Legislators Dr Khushal Bopche and Sunil Kedar and Yadavrao Padole of Cooperative bank's regional unit were present at the press conference.