R R Patil is Maharashtra NCP President

MUMBAI: R R Patil, who had to resign as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, today took over as President of the state unit of Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a post he had held earlier.

The announcement was made at a meeting of the party at Nagpur this evening in Pawar's presence. Patil's name was proposed by Arun Gujrathi, who quit as state NCP chief last week, paving the way for the Maratha leader from Sangli district known for oratory and strong organisational skills.

The NCP, a key ruling coalition partner, plans to use Patil's image and the vast network of supporters across the state for contesting the assembly elections due next year.

Patil, who had also held the Home portfolio, resigned as Deputy Chief Minister after the commercial capital was rocked by audacious terror attacks on November 26.

Patil had set off a controversy by his remarks after the Mumbai attacks that such incidents happen in big cities and the terrorists came to kill 5000 people "but we ensured minimal damage)".