Following the death of NCP chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, his wife Sunetra Pawar is expected to take oath as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra today. Sharad Pawar has now reacted to Sunetra’s possible swearing-in as Deputy Chief Minister. He said that he has no information about this. He also gave an important statement about the merger of both the factions of NCP.
When asked whether Sunetra would take oath today, Sharad Pawar said, “I have no information about it. This decision might have been taken by his party, because some names are coming out – like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. It is possible that these people may have taken this decision. Some internal decision might have been taken at the party level.”
‘Merger of both NCPs’
Talking about the merger of the two factions of NCP, Sharad Pawar said that in such a situation everyone will have to think how to handle the situation. Someone has to come forward. Talks about the unification of the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party were going on for the last four months. This process was led by Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil. Now, whether this will happen or not cannot be said with certainty. It was Ajit’s wish that both the parties come together.
‘I have no idea…’
He also said that what NCP does next is their decision. I will not decide this. I have not had any conversation with Sunetra Pawar. I think Sunil Tatkare, Chhagan Bhujbal and Praful Patel would have taken initiative and talked to the Chief Minister about this. This morning I read in the newspaper that Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare had talked to the Chief Minister about this, but I had no information about it.
Meeting held in Govind Bagh, Baramati
Meanwhile, a meeting was held at Govind Bagh in Baramati between Sharad and Ajit Pawar regarding the merger of the two parties. This meeting took place on 17 January, and the final decision on the merger of the two parties was to be taken on 12 February.
Sunetra Pawar reached Mumbai
On the other hand, there are reports that Sunetra Pawar has reached Mumbai. There will be a NCP legislature party meeting in the afternoon, where he is expected to be elected the legislature party leader. After this, the swearing-in ceremony will take place at Raj Bhavan or Lok Bhavan at around 5 pm. Sources also say that the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government has accepted Sunetra Pawar’s name, and she is being given the responsibility of the same post which was earlier held by Ajit Pawar. However, division of departments may happen later. He will have to contest the assembly elections within six months.
A party leader said, “This decision has been taken at the party level. Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare must have talked to the Chief Minister about this. There was no direct talk with Sunetra Pawar, but it was necessary for someone to come forward to take the party forward.”