Sharad Pawar Reacts to Sunetra Pawar’s Appointment as Maharashtra Deputy CM, Responds to Fadnavis’ Remarks

Mumbai: In the aftermath of Ajit Pawar’s tragic death in a plane crash, Maharashtra politics has been abuzz with discussions over leadership and the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On the fourth day after Ajit Pawar’s passing, Sunetra Pawar, his daughter-in-law, took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. She also visited Satara to pay respects at the Preeti Sangam of the state’s first Chief Minister, Yashwantrao Chavan.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed his happiness over Sunetra Pawar’s elevation to the Deputy CM post. “I am happy for Sunetra Pawar,” he said. His statement comes at a time when Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had dismissed claims that NCP leaders, including Ajit Pawar, were planning a party merger.

Sharad Pawar clarified that any discussions regarding the NCP merger were happening between his nephew Ajit Pawar and senior party leader Jayant Patil, and neither Fadnavis nor the BJP were involved. “What right did Fadnavis have to comment on these internal matters?” Pawar asked. He further stated that his current focus is on supporting his family in this tragic situation, and no political decisions are being discussed at the moment.

Regarding any memorial for Ajit Pawar at the Vidya Pratishthan educational institution in Baramati, which he helped establish, Sharad Pawar said he has no information about it. Following her appointment as Deputy CM, Sunetra Pawar has also been assigned charge of Pune and Beed districts, which were previously overseen by Ajit Pawar. She is also expected to take charge of the NCP leadership in the near future.