“It is a common feeling among the party’s ranks and file that the NCP has projected Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar as the messiah of farmers over waiver of loans worth Rs 60,000 crore, thereby marginalising the Congress,” the leader pointed out.

On the other hand, the lack of prompt decisions and unified action has meant that the Congress has failed to claim enough credit on the issue.

The Maharashtra Congress is a divided house and the anti-Deshmukh camp — which includes Revenue Minister Narayan Rane, MPCC chief Rau and AICC in-charge of state affairs Margaret Alva — has accused the Government of doing too little and too late on major issues.

While Rane went public with his revolt, blaming Deshmukh for running the Government as a personal fiefdom, Rau had constituted seven fact-finding panels to study vital issues. Most of these panels headed by partymen had criticised the Government for “mishandling” issues such as malnutrition.

However, the Chief Minister’s camp remains confident that he would be allowed to complete his tenure and if at all the high command wants change, it would replace Rau and not Deshmukh.

“The Government is doing a lot of things for the people, but the party does not reach out to the masses on such issues,” said a senior leader from the Deshmukh camp.