Senior leaders in the National Congress Party (NCP) of Ajit Pawar faction want his wife and Rajya Sabha MP, Sunetra Pawar, to become Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister after his husband died in a plane crash. Arguing with one of his two sons to contest for the Baramati by-elections.
Sources told The Times of India that several senior leaders of NCP met 62-year-old Sunetra at her residence on Thursday and offered condolences and asked her to join state politics with the Mahayuti government and also lead the NCP. The leaders included working president Praful Patel, state chief Sunil Tatkare, and cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal.
Also Read | Dada’s Last Wish Was the Merger of Both NCP Factions, Says Pawar Family Aide Kiran Gujar.
Narhari Zirwal, cabinet minister and Ajit Pawar's close aide, publicly backed the move. Zirwal said supporters of the party want Sunetra in the state cabinet. I support this view," Zirwal said in Baramati, adding that he would raise the issue with senior party members. The party said a meeting will be held soon in Mumbai next month to choose the NCP legislature party leader.
At the grassroots, particularly in Baramati, party workers want either of Ajit's sons - Parth or Jay - to contest the Baramati bypolls triggered by his death.
Also Read | Shantilal Suratwala, Former Pune Mayor and Senior NCP Leader, Dies at 76.
Till now, the party was running as per the Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule. Now, after the demise of Ajit Dada, party leaders and grassroots workers said that only his wife, Sunetra, can take his position.
On the other hand, it is wait watching weather Ajit Pawar's uncle and cousin, Supriya Sule, will form a reunion of the rival NCP factions. This merger will change the political map of Maharashtra state.