Parth and Jay Pawar Meet Sharad Pawar to Discuss Ajit Pawar Memorial Plans in Baramati
In a significant development in Baramati, Parth and Jay Pawar, the sons of the late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, met with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday. The meeting took place at the premises of Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati and lasted for over an hour, as confirmed by party sources.
Focus on Memorial Plans Amidst Political Speculation
According to NCP insiders, the primary agenda of the meeting was to discuss plans for setting up a memorial in honor of Ajit Pawar, who tragically passed away last week in a plane crash near the Baramati airport. This move comes in response to growing demands from NCP leaders for a tribute to the late leader in his hometown.
There had been widespread speculation that the meeting might involve discussions about a potential merger between the two NCP factions. However, sources clarified that the merger issue did not come up during the conversation. Instead, the focus remained squarely on the memorial project, highlighting the family's commitment to honoring Ajit Pawar's legacy.
Condolence Meetings and Family Gatherings
Later in the evening, Sharad Pawar and his wife visited Ajit Pawar's residence at Sahyug Society, where they met with Sunetra Pawar, who recently took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister, along with Parth and Jay. The entire Pawar family then received scores of people who had traveled from Baramati and various parts of Maharashtra to offer their condolences.
Kiran Gujar, a close family aide, noted, "Every day, hundreds of people are coming to meet Sunetra Pawar, Parth, and Jay at Sahyug Society. Today, the entire Pawar family was present to receive the people's condolences." This underscores the deep emotional connection and respect the community holds for the Pawar family.
Political Context and Merger Speculations
Despite the focus on the memorial, the political landscape remains dynamic. NCP sources indicated that any discussions regarding a merger are being handled by the state party leadership. An NCP leader stated, "NCP state leadership has been speaking about it. And therefore, Sunetra Pawar and her sons have stayed clear of it. They have decided to let the party leadership make comments about it."
The merger issue gained attention after Sharad Pawar mentioned that an announcement was expected on February 12, noting that Ajit Pawar had been keen on the idea. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis countered this by suggesting that if such talks were underway, Ajit Pawar would have discussed them with him directly.
In a related development, Rohit Pawar, an MLA, expressed his views on social media, criticizing the current political climate. He wrote, "Today's politics has become loathsome and disgusting. In the face of this politics, the value of a human life has literally become zero. If being manipulative and deceitful is the basic criteria for politics, then one cannot help but wonder: should a good person truly remain in politics at all?"
Looking Ahead: Memorial as a Tribute
The meeting between Parth, Jay, and Sharad Pawar marks a pivotal moment in the aftermath of Ajit Pawar's untimely demise. By prioritizing the memorial plans over political maneuvers, the family aims to create a lasting tribute that reflects his contributions to Baramati and Maharashtra. As the community continues to mourn, this initiative is seen as a step towards healing and honoring a leader whose impact extended far beyond politics.
