Speculation is rife as Maharashtra's Mahayuti alliance needs to fill the posts of Deputy Chief Minister, the Finance portfolio, and other responsibilities left vacant by the demise of NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) working president Praful Patel, state president Sunil Tatkare, and minister Chhagan Bhujbal met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss the matter, while Marathi media reports are positive about the elevation of Sunetra Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Patel hinted at this while speaking to the media, reports said.
“A decision will have to be taken regarding the position that Ajit Pawar held. Therefore, we only told the Chief Minister that we want to take a decision as soon as possible in the coming days. For that, we will call all our party MLAs, discuss the matter with them, and take an appropriate decision by respecting public sentiment and keeping Ajit Pawar’s contribution in mind,” Praful Patel reportedly told the press after meeting Devendra Fadnavis on Friday.
“We have not discussed the name of Sunetra Pawar at all. However, this is our internal matter. Who from the Nationalist Congress Party should be appointed to that position is the party’s decision. There is public sentiment, the sentiment of our MLAs, and our own feelings as well. I am speaking as Praful Patel, not in my capacity as working president. Personally, I also feel that we should take the right decision. We will think in that direction. But as of now, this topic has not come up,” Lokmat quoted him as saying.
Patel added that the time is not yet ripe for the announcement, as family rituals are currently underway. They will consult Sunetra, as well as Parth and Jay Pawar, before making a call. There has been no official comment from the CM's Office in this regard so far.
“We will speak to them, but at least let today’s family rituals be completed. If possible, we will try to speak tonight or tomorrow. We want to fill this position as soon as possible. I keep reiterating that the decision will be taken in line with our sentiments and the sentiments of the people,” Patel said, further fuelling speculation that Sunetra Pawar may be appointed as Deputy Chief Minister.
A response on similar lines was given by party leader Girish Mahajan when asked about the possibility of the two NCP factions merging. “Whether it is Ajit Dada’s faction or Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, that is an internal matter of the two NCPs. I feel there will be developments on this issue in the future, but at least one or two days should be allowed to pass,” TV9 Marathi quoted him as saying. When asked about Sunetra's elevation, he reportedly said, “I think this is a matter concerning Ajit Dada’s NCP. It would not be appropriate for us to comment on it. Their MLAs and second-rung leaders will think about it and take a decision.”
Ajit Pawar and four others were killed when the chartered plane carrying them crashed in Baramati in Pune district on Wednesday. The 66-year-old NCP chief, popularly known as 'Dada' (elder brother), was cremated with full state honours in Baramati on Thursday.