While Sharad Pawar has made Supriya Sule the party in-charge of Maharashtra and also appointed the head of the Central Election Authority, there may still be some promise of reward for Ajit Pawar. The NCP hopes that he will play a bigger role in Maharashtra politics and ensure that the MVA returns to power after the 2024 assembly elections.
If the NCP secures more seats than its allies Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MVA crosses the halfway mark, Ajit Pawar will be the CM candidate, say sources. However, Sule’s promotion means she will play a decisive role in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Ajit Pawar said about the reshuffle on Saturday evening, “I am not sad, I am more interested in state politics.”
What did Ajit Pawar say?
Ajit Pawar said on Saturday that he had proposed the name of Supriya Sule as the working president of the NCP when Pawar expressed his desire to step down as party president last month. Ajit said that those who are saying that he did not get any post in NCP should understand that the party has given him the post of Leader of Opposition and he will focus on Maharashtra politics. Welcoming the new working presidents, Ajit Pawar reiterated that a new leadership should emerge. “Praful Bhai has been active in the national capital. Supriya has also been representing Baramati in the Parliament and her performance has been appreciated. I am sure all the leaders of the party will work as a team and we will try our best to give good results.
He said, “Earlier also there were rumors that since both me and Supriya are in politics, there will be two centers of power (within the NCP). However, I want to make it clear once again that Supriya will work at the national level, while I am interested in state politics. He further said, “Those who are saying that I have not got any responsibility, they should understand that I have the responsibility of being the leader of the opposition. I am doing my work. This is our internal matter and others should stay away from it.”
A senior NCP leader questioned the theory that Ajit Pawar was sidelined. “The role of Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule and Praful Patel in NCP was discussed on several occasions. It was felt that since Patel and Sule are in Parliament, they should be asked to focus on national issues and Ajit Pawar should focus on state politics.
