In a surprising revelation from Baramati, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar has distanced himself from reports that Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, is set to take oath as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister. Speaking to reporters on January 31, the veteran leader stated he had no prior knowledge of the development.
Pawar emphasized that the decision must have been taken internally by the NCP faction led by his nephew’s camp. ‘The party has made this call. People like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare have been handling such matters,’ he remarked, clearly drawing a line between his faction and the other.
When pressed on his stance regarding Sunetra Pawar’s elevation, Sharad Pawar reiterated his non-involvement. ‘It’s up to the party to run its affairs. Our political paths have diverged, though the family stands united in grief,’ he added, underscoring the personal bond amid political rift.
On family dynamics, Pawar was reassuring. ‘In times of trouble, the family remains together. There are no issues within the Pawar family,’ he affirmed. However, he admitted ignorance about the oath-taking ceremony itself, learning of it only through media reports.
The comments come against the backdrop of ongoing merger talks between the two NCP factions. Sharad Pawar disclosed positive discussions between Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil, which were nearly finalized before the tragic plane crash claimed Ajit Pawar’s life. ‘It was Ajit’s wish, and ours too, for the NCP to reunite. The talks were led by them, and an announcement was slated for February 12,’ he revealed.
With Ajit’s untimely demise, the merger process has stalled. Sharad Pawar indicated that the next steps would depend on leaders from both sides. This development adds another layer to Maharashtra’s volatile political landscape, where family loyalties and party ambitions continue to intersect dramatically.