Amid political upheaval in Maharashtra following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an air crash, NCP leader Sharad Pawar stated that he was not consulted about Sunetra Pawar’s appointment as Deputy CM. He mentioned that the merger of the two NCP factions, led by Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil, was almost finalized, with an announcement expected on February 12.
Sharad Pawar emphasized that he had not directly participated in the talks for the reunification of the NCP factions, highlighting that Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil were leading the discussions. He expressed regret over the interruption in merger discussions due to Ajit Pawar’s untimely demise, leaving the future steps dependent on the faction leaders.
The veteran leader outlined the challenges ahead, noting that the absence of Ajit Pawar, who initiated the talks, poses a significant hurdle in the reunification process. He acknowledged the need for someone to step into Ajit Pawar’s role to navigate the current situation and uphold the party’s unity.
Regarding the potential inclusion of Sunetra Pawar or Rohit Pawar in the ministry, Sharad Pawar distanced himself from the decision-making process, stating that party leaders like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare hold the authority in such matters. He refrained from commenting on internal party decisions, emphasizing the autonomy of NCP leaders in making choices.
