Sharad Pawar clarified that it was Ajit Pawar himself who had proposed Sule's elevation, putting to rest speculations of internal discord within the NCP leadership.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar firmly denied suggestions that his nephew, Ajit Pawar, was unhappy with the appointment of his daughter, Supriya Sule, as the working president of the party. Sharad Pawar clarified that it was Ajit Pawar himself who had put forward the proposal.
Responding to queries about the Maharashtra Leader of Opposition's alleged discontentment regarding Sule's elevation, Sharad Pawar stated, "The suggestion was made by him (Ajit Pawar). So, where is the question of him being happy or unhappy," during a press interaction.
In a significant move, the veteran leader announced the appointment of Sule, a three-term Lok Sabha member, and Praful Patel as the working presidents of the NCP. This decision marks a generational shift within the party, as Sule assumes the role of the chairperson of the party's Central Election Authority and takes charge of the crucial state of Maharashtra, where the NCP holds a strong electoral presence.
Ajit Pawar, who was previously considered as a potential successor within the NCP, faced criticism for his ties with the BJP. His unexpected swearing-in as Maharashtra's deputy chief minister alongside Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in 2019 had strained relations with the party.
Responding to queries about the possibility of Patel or Sule becoming the NCP chief in the future, Pawar humorously quipped, "There is no vacancy now. We can talk about it when there is a vacancy."
Addressing allegations of nepotism, Pawar defended the decision, stating, "This is a conscious decision by the entire party and not me alone. If I had to make a decision, why would I have waited all these years?"
Refuting reports of Ajit Pawar's discontent, Pawar emphasized that the appointments of Patel and Sule were met with the collective agreement of senior party leaders. He further explained that the proposal had been under discussion within the party for the past month before he made the announcement.
Highlighting the respective responsibilities assigned to Sule and Patel, Pawar mentioned that Sule, being a Lok Sabha member, would focus on her duties in Delhi while overseeing the party's activities in neighboring states such as Haryana and Punjab. Similarly, Patel's personal connections in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, closer to his hometown of Gondiya, make him well-suited for party affairs in those regions, Pawar added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized the opportunity to take a dig at the NCP chief's announcement. Amit Malviya, BJP's Information Technology Department in-charge, tweeted, "If only Sharad Pawar loved his nephew as much as Mamata Banerjee loves hers…"
Sharad Pawar, known for his political acumen, displayed confidence in the party's decision, reiterating that there was "not even one percent truth" in reports suggesting Ajit Pawar's dissatisfaction with the appointments. He emphasized the commitment of Jayant Patil, who already serves as the president of the NCP's Maharashtra unit, and Ajit Pawar, who holds the position of Leader of Opposition in the assembly.
(With PTI Inputs)