Mumbai’s political landscape shifted dramatically on Friday as a key Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) delegation held crucial talks with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The meeting, shrouded in the shadow of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s tragic demise in a plane crash, focused on selecting a new legislative party leader and filling the vacant deputy CM post.
Leading the NCP team were prominent figures including working president Praful Patel, state unit chief Sunil Tatkare, ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Hasan Mushrif, and former minister Dhananjay Munde. The discussions underscored the urgency of stabilizing the coalition government amid grief and uncertainty.
Speaking to reporters post-meeting, Patel revealed that deliberations centered on electing a new leader through a legislative party meeting. ‘We urged the Chief Minister for swift decisions on cabinet portfolios and leadership roles,’ he stated. The party plans to consult all its MLAs before finalizing its stance, ensuring alignment with the sentiments of legislators, office-bearers, and grassroots workers.
A notable point of clarification came on speculation surrounding Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s widow and MP. Patel firmly dismissed any formal discussions on her candidacy for deputy CM. ‘This remains an internal party matter. The family is still mourning, and we will speak with Sunetra tonight or tomorrow morning after completing rituals,’ he added.
Patel emphasized that any decision on the deputy CM position would prioritize MLAs’ feelings and be made promptly to appoint a suitable candidate. This comes after NCP leader Narhari Zirwal’s earlier endorsement of Sunetra Pawar during Ajit Pawar’s funeral in Baramati, arguing it would preserve the Pawar family’s political legacy.
As Maharashtra navigates this transitional phase, the NCP’s moves will be pivotal in maintaining governmental continuity and addressing the void left by a towering leader. The coming days promise intense internal deliberations, with the coalition’s stability hanging in balance.