Sunetra Pawar : 'Make Sunetra Pawar the Deputy Chief Minister'; Proposal from NCP leaders to Chief Minister Fadnavis
After the tragic accident in Baramati involving Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar, a significant void has been created in the state's politics. Ajit Pawar held crucial portfolios such as Deputy Chief Minister, Finance, Excise, and Sports. His untimely demise has posed a major challenge to the Mahayuti government on both administrative and political fronts. Against this backdrop, there have been intense movements within the Nationalist Congress Party regarding leadership and the redistribution of ministerial positions.
Meanwhile, a firm proposal to make 'Sunetra Pawar the Deputy Chief Minister' is being prepared by leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party to present before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. After the demise of Ajit Pawar, during the crisis faced by both the party and the family, Sunetra Pawar has shown patience and strength, and many senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party believe that she should be given the responsibility of the Deputy Chief Minister position, according to sources.
Important Meeting at Varsha Residence
Senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party, Chhagan Bhujbal, Hasan Mushrif, Praful Patel, and State President Sunil Tatkare have arrived at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's 'Varsha' residence to discuss this proposal. In this meeting, along with the Deputy Chief Minister position, there is also a possibility of discussing to whom the finance, excise, and sports portfolios currently held by Ajit Pawar should be assigned. It is understood that the leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party are insisting that these positions remain with the party to maintain its influence in the Mahayuti government.
Praful Patel Leading for National Presidency
On the other hand, significant developments are happening regarding the national leadership of the Nationalist Congress Party. A proposal is emerging from party leaders to appoint Praful Patel, who is currently the working president, as the national president. After the demise of Ajit Pawar, there is a need for strong leadership at the national level, and it seems that this responsibility should be entrusted to Praful Patel within the Nationalist Congress Party.
Position of Independent Existence Instead of Merger
Meanwhile, although discussions about the merger of both Nationalist Congress Party factions have been ongoing for the past few days, it is now clear that many leaders in Ajit Pawar's faction are in favor of maintaining an independent existence. According to sources, discussions about the merger were ongoing while Ajit Pawar was alive, but the final decision will be made by Sharad Pawar. Currently, it appears that the Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) is moving towards maintaining a separate identity.
Internal discussion with Sunetra Pawar
After bidding farewell to Ajit Pawar at Vidya Pratishthan, NCP leaders had a discussion with Sunetra Pawar at their Sahayog Bungalow. Parth Pawar was also present at this meeting. It is reported that a proposal was made to appoint Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister and to send Parth Pawar to the Rajya Sabha. Now, the entire state is watching to see what final decision the NCP and the Mahayuti government will take on all these developments.