Sharad Pawar Distances Himself from Sunetra Pawar's Swearing-in as Maharashtra Deputy CM
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday firmly distanced himself from media reports suggesting that Sunetra Pawar, the wife of his late nephew Ajit Pawar, would be sworn in as the Maharashtra deputy chief minister. The veteran politician, a key figure in Maharashtra's political landscape, asserted that he had "no idea" about the oath-taking ceremony and was not consulted on the matter.
No Prior Knowledge or Discussion
When questioned about whether any family members would attend the swearing-in, Sharad Pawar responded, "We didn't know about the swearing-in. We found out about it through news reports. I have no idea about the swearing-in." He emphasized that there had been no discussions with him regarding this development, suggesting that the decision might have been made internally within the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar before his demise.
The senior leader speculated that the ruling NCP faction may have felt compelled to fill the vacancy left by Ajit Pawar's tragic death. "I am not aware of the swearing-in. I didn't even know that it was scheduled for today. There was no discussion with me about the swearing-in. Her party (NCP) may have made the decision," he stated, mentioning that names like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare were involved in the initiative.
Background and Unification Efforts
Sharad Pawar revealed that his late nephew Ajit Pawar had been actively working towards unifying the two NCP factions. He noted that Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil had been engaged in talks for the past four months, but these efforts were abruptly halted by the unfortunate air crash on January 28 in Baramati, which claimed Ajit Pawar's life.
"We cannot bring Ajit back. We have lost him. Now we have to see how to face the situation," Pawar remarked, highlighting the emotional and political void left by his nephew's passing. He added that a consensus had been reached for both factions to collaborate, with a merger announcement originally planned for February 12, a date set by Ajit Pawar before the accident.
Political Implications and Family Dynamics
The appointment of Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, as deputy chief minister marks a significant moment in Maharashtra politics. Following Ajit Pawar's death, a section of NCP leaders had advocated for her to assume the post her husband held in the Devendra Fadnavis-led cabinet. This move could signal a shift in leadership dynamics within the party, as Sunetra Pawar steps from behind the scenes into a more prominent role.
When asked if he was consulted before Sunetra Pawar's name was proposed, Sharad Pawar clarified, "What kind of confidence? Their party is different. Our party is different." This statement underscores the ongoing divide between the NCP factions and raises questions about party unity and future collaborations.
Key Takeaways from the Development
- Sharad Pawar's lack of involvement in the decision-making process highlights potential rifts within the NCP, casting doubt on the party's cohesion and strategic alignment.
- Sunetra Pawar's likely appointment as deputy chief minister represents a notable transition in leadership, potentially reshaping the NCP's internal hierarchy and public image.
- The tragic demise of Ajit Pawar has profoundly impacted party strategies, disrupting unification talks and forcing a reevaluation of political maneuvers in Maharashtra.
Sharad Pawar also denied any knowledge of the BJP's involvement in these developments, maintaining that the events were internal to the NCP. As Maharashtra navigates this political transition, the implications for governance and party dynamics remain closely watched by observers and stakeholders alike.
