NCP Strategist Naresh Arora Holds Crucial Meeting with Sunetra Pawar in Baramati
In a significant political development, Naresh Arora, the media and branding adviser to the late NCP chief Ajit Pawar, met with Sunetra Pawar in Baramati on Friday. This meeting occurred shortly before Sunetra Pawar made the pivotal decision to accept the role of deputy chief minister of Maharashtra.
Strategic Discussions on NCP's Future Direction
According to party sources familiar with the matter, the meeting between Arora and Sunetra Pawar focused extensively on discussions about the Nationalist Congress Party's future strategy. These talks specifically addressed her crucial move to accept the deputy chief minister position, which represents a significant shift in the party's leadership structure following Ajit Pawar's passing.
"Soon after the meeting concluded, Sunetra's decision to accept the deputy CM role was formally communicated to senior party members Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel in Mumbai," revealed a source close to the developments. "This communication enabled them to proceed with the necessary next steps in the political transition process."
Arora's Influential Role in NCP Campaign Strategy
Naresh Arora has established himself as a key figure in political campaign strategy, having played an instrumental role during the 2024 state assembly election for Ajit Pawar. A close aide of the late leader explained, "Arora worked closely with Ajit Pawar for the past two years. His firm, Designboxed, received credit for shaping Ajit Pawar's entire campaign approach."
The strategist's contributions included transforming the leader's public image through wardrobe changes from formal grey attire to distinctive pink jackets, along with developing a robust social media presence that resonated powerfully with supporters across Maharashtra.
Building Consensus Within Party Leadership
Party insiders noted that Arora maintained excellent rapport with the Pawar family and senior NCP members, frequently meeting with them to discuss campaign strategies and political positioning. "After Ajit Pawar's last rites were conducted in Baramati on Thursday, internal discussions within the party progressed with remarkable swiftness," explained another source from the NCP.
The source elaborated further: "Party leaders initially approached Sunetra Pawar with a proposal for her to assume the deputy chief minister post, assuring her of unanimous support from MLAs and key leaders. A second round of talks took place on Friday, followed by Arora's meeting with Sunetra, which ultimately helped solidify her approval for the position."
Arora's Public Statements and Previous Engagements
Before the meeting with Sunetra Pawar, Arora spoke to media representatives, stating he had come primarily to offer condolences and stand with the family during their difficult time of mourning. He emphasized his close association not only with Ajit Pawar but with the entire Pawar political family, highlighting longstanding professional relationships.
Interestingly, during the Pune Municipal Corporation election campaign, Arora's Pune office received a visit from a crime branch team following a phone call they had received. The investigative team conducted inquiries but found nothing suspicious during their examination. After their departure, Arora addressed the media, confirming that police officials had visited his office, questioned several employees briefly, and left shortly thereafter without further action.
Before his collaboration with Ajit Pawar, Arora and his firm Designboxed had handled election campaigns for the Congress party, demonstrating extensive experience across different political organizations in India's dynamic political landscape.
