BJP Extends Support to NCP's Decision to Anoint Sunetra Pawar as Successor
In the wake of the sudden and tragic demise of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the political landscape of Maharashtra has been thrown into a state of flux. Barely a day after his funeral, the NCP brass convened in Mumbai to make a crucial decision: handing over the reins of the party to his wife, Sunetra Pawar, who currently serves as a Rajya Sabha MP. This move has garnered explicit backing from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis affirming that the BJP will stand by the NCP's decision both at the party level and within the government.
Emotional and Political Imperatives Drive NCP's Choice
The NCP camp has justified its swift decision to select Sunetra Pawar as the new leader, citing the pressing political crisis facing the party. The strong sentiments among party followers following Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash in Baramati have necessitated immediate action to placate an emotionally charged base. A senior NCP leader explained, "At this critical juncture, we must urgently address the leadership vacuum. Ignoring the sentiments of those who revered Ajit Dada as their leader is not an option. Our collective decision to appoint Sunetra Pawar as his successor is the most acceptable solution for everyone involved."
Three NCP ministers further elaborated that the rapid elevation of Sunetra Pawar aims to preempt complications that could arise during potential merger discussions with other factions. "By establishing a clear leader within our party, we gain greater authority to navigate talks related to possible mergers and other organizational matters," they noted.
Sharad Pawar Distances Himself from NCP Developments
Amidst these developments, Sharad Pawar, the veteran leader and chief of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) faction, has publicly distanced himself from the decisions being made by the Ajit Pawar camp. In a statement to reporters, Pawar clarified that several reported decisions were internal matters of the Ajit faction and had not been discussed with his party. His remarks indicate that the NCP leaders proceeded to anoint Sunetra Pawar as the leader of their legislature party without consulting the NCP (SP), casting uncertainty over previously discussed merger possibilities.
Former minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh added, "The Pawar family is still in mourning. Once the rites and rituals are completed in the next two to three days, Sharad Pawar along with other family members will sit together and deliberate on organizational issues." This highlights the delicate balance between personal grief and political exigencies in the current scenario.
BJP's Strategic Stance and Historical Context
The BJP has adopted a calculated approach, emphasizing support for the NCP while avoiding direct interference in its internal affairs. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated in Nagpur, "The NCP leaders have met me twice. Whatever decision the NCP takes, we will support them. The BJP will stand by the NCP both at the party level and in the government." This stance is rooted in the BJP's desire to ensure that the NCP remains a key constituent of the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra.
A BJP functionary elaborated, "Our alliance is with the NCP. We will ensure that both the NCP and Ajit Pawar's family are not left in the lurch during this crisis. Regarding the reunion between the two NCP factions and their power-sharing arrangements, it is best left for them to resolve. As a third party, the BJP will not interfere."
This position reflects lessons from past political maneuvers. In July 2023, when Ajit Pawar broke away from the undivided NCP to join the NDA with a majority of legislators, the BJP was widely perceived to have engineered the split. Now, with merger talks initiated by the late Ajit Pawar gaining momentum, the BJP believes it is prudent to refrain from meddling in the NCP's organizational matters, allowing internal processes to unfold naturally.
Uncertainty Looms Over NCP Faction Reunification
The demise of Ajit Pawar has reignited speculation about a possible reunification of the NCP factions. However, the roles of Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule in this evolving political churn remain unclear. Some NCP leaders express concerns that any merger should be "respectable" and not dictated solely by the terms of the NCP (SP) faction. There is also skepticism within the party about whether the Pawar faction would align with the BJP-led governments at the state and central levels.
Reflecting on past events, a party leader recalled the high drama after the hung verdict in the October 2019 Assembly polls, when Ajit Pawar briefly allied with Fadnavis, leading to a dawn swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan. Shortly thereafter, Sharad Pawar successfully brought Ajit back into the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which later formed the government under Uddhav Thackeray's leadership. This historical context underscores the complex and often volatile nature of Maharashtra's political alliances.
As the situation continues to evolve, the BJP's backing of Sunetra Pawar's ascension marks a significant step in stabilizing the NCP during a period of profound loss and political uncertainty. The coming days will likely reveal more about the future trajectory of the party and its relationships within Maharashtra's intricate political ecosystem.
