Sunetra Pawar Holds First Meeting in Pune as Guardian Minister
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar chaired a significant meeting in Pune on Friday, marking her first official visit to the district after assuming charge. The gathering brought together newly elected members of the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti, with a primary focus on discussing the potential merger plans of the two factions within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
NCP Unity and Election Success Highlighted
During the meeting, NCP members from Junnar tehsil informed Sunetra Pawar, who also serves as the Pune guardian minister, that both camps would continue to collaborate closely. This commitment follows their successful alliance in the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections held on February 7. Former MLA Atul Benke, who attended the meeting, shared insights with the media, noting that he attributed his loss in the 2024 assembly poll to vote division between the two NCP groups.
"But for the Pune ZP and panchayat samiti elections, I worked very closely with NCP (SP) MP Amol Kolhe, and we achieved positive results," Benke stated. "During the meeting with Sunetra vahini, we conveyed that both sides would maintain their cooperative efforts moving forward. While I am unaware of any formal merger plans, in Junnar tehsil, both factions have already united."
Ajit Pawar's Legacy and District Development Discussed
Other NCP members present at the meeting revealed that discussions also centered on the vision of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar for Pune district. "The elected members fondly recalled Ajit Pawar and his strategic plans for the region," one zilla parishad member explained. "Sunetra vahini assured them of her support, mirroring the late NCP chief's dedication. She conducted a comprehensive review of pressing issues in Pune district and pledged to address them through consultations with the district administration."
This meeting underscores Sunetra Pawar's proactive approach in fostering political unity and advancing developmental agendas, setting a collaborative tone for her tenure as Pune's guardian minister.
