NCP Merger Discussions Hit Roadblock Following Sunetra Pawar's Deputy CM Appointment
The much-discussed merger negotiations between the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) faction have effectively stalled following the significant political development of Sunetra Pawar's appointment as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This move has brought to the surface deep-seated divisions within the influential Pawar family, which had recently presented a united front during a period of mourning.
Sharad Pawar's Revelation Confirms Communication Breakdown
In a telling statement, veteran politician Sharad Pawar revealed that he was not informed about Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in ceremony, describing it as "their internal decision." This admission clearly indicates that the decision-making power now rests with Ajit Pawar's immediate family – specifically Sunetra Pawar and her sons Jay and Parth – along with senior leaders aligned with their faction. The political patriarch's exclusion from such a crucial development speaks volumes about the shifting dynamics within Maharashtra's political landscape.
Conspicuous Absences Highlight Growing Divide
Further evidence of the growing rift emerged through the notable absence of both Sharad Pawar and his daughter, Baramati MP Supriya Sule, from the oath-taking ceremony. This stood in stark contrast to their highly visible presence and active involvement in funeral arrangements and mourning rituals following Ajit Pawar's tragic demise. Just days earlier, Supriya Sule had been a pillar of support for her sister-in-law, accompanying her to the hospital and helping organize the final rites with dignified grace.
Conflicting Narratives About Crucial January Meeting
Adding to the political intrigue, conflicting accounts have emerged regarding a January 17 meeting between Ajit Pawar, his uncle Sharad Pawar, and other senior leaders. While the NCP (SP) camp maintains this gathering was convened to discuss the potential merger of the two factions, Sunil Tatkare of the now Sunetra-led NCP has refuted this claim. According to Tatkare, the meeting focused exclusively on alliance strategies for the upcoming February 5 zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections, highlighting the different interpretations of the same political event.
Supriya Sule's Diplomatic Departure and Symbolic Gesture
Before departing for Delhi to attend Parliament sessions, Supriya Sule made a significant visit to Ajit Pawar's mother, Asha Pawar, at her home in Katewadi village – a gesture that maintained familial respect while avoiding the political ceremony. When questioned by reporters about her father's absence from the swearing-in, Sule responded with folded hands and the phrase "Ramkrishna Hari," a reference from the Bhakti saint-poets movement that subtly acknowledges the unpredictable nature of western Maharashtra's political environment.
Sunetra Pawar Firmly Claims Her Political Legacy
During her oath-taking ceremony, Sunetra Pawar made her intentions unmistakably clear by emphatically stating "Mee Sunetra Ajit Pawar..." – a declaration that asserts her direct claim to her late husband's political legacy. This powerful statement, combined with her new position as Deputy Chief Minister, signals her determination to establish her own political identity while honoring her husband's contributions to Maharashtra politics.
The current developments suggest that merger discussions between the two NCP factions have been temporarily sidelined as internal family dynamics and political repositioning take precedence. The situation continues to evolve, with observers closely watching how these complex relationships will shape Maharashtra's political future in the coming months.
