Ajit Pawar ‘not big enough’ to offer a role to Sharad Pawar: Sanjay Raut
Regarding reports suggesting that Ajit Pawar offered a cabinet position in the Union Cabinet to senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Sanjay Raut, a leader of the Shiv Sena (a part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition in Maharashtra), expressed his opinion on the matter.
Raut stated that Ajit Pawar, who holds the position of Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra, does not have the stature or authority to make such an offer to a senior leader like Sharad Pawar within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This comment highlights the hierarchical dynamics and political stature within the NCP and the broader context of political negotiations and alliances.
Sanjay Raut further emphasized his point by stating that it was Sharad Pawar who had elevated Ajit Pawar’s position and influence within the political landscape, not the other way around. He highlighted Sharad Pawar’s high stature within the political realm and emphasized that Ajit Pawar’s influence was derived from his association with Sharad Pawar rather than the other way around. This statement underscores the seniority and influence of Sharad Pawar within the NCP and the broader political arena.
A “secretive” gathering involving prominent Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) figures Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar at the residence of a Pune-based businessman on August 12 has sparked considerable attention within political circles. The senior NCP leader Jayant Patil was also in attendance at this meeting.
The rendezvous occurred in Koregaon Park and lasted from 1 pm to 5 pm, during which Sharad Pawar was present. Ajit Pawar, who holds the position of Deputy Chief Minister, was later observed departing the location at around 6:45 pm.
This meeting has garnered interest due to the political significance of the individuals involved. Ajit Pawar had previously diverged from the NCP to align with the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government. Confirming his participation and interaction with Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar addressed the media and aimed to dispel any misconceptions.
Ajit Pawar acknowledged the media’s varying coverage of the meeting, emphasizing that it was a gathering among family members, which had led to misunderstandings. He asserted that there were no grounds to assume that any extraordinary developments occurred during the meeting. His statement aimed to clarify that the meeting was of a familiar nature and should not be misconstrued as a significant political event.
The meeting has piqued curiosity due to the involved personalities’ political roles and history. Sharad Pawar, a seasoned political leader, holds substantial influence within the NCP, and Ajit Pawar’s position as Deputy Chief Minister contributes to the intrigue surrounding this gathering. However, Ajit Pawar’s comments serve to downplay the significance of the meeting, emphasizing its familial context and quelling any unfounded speculations.
Addressing the recent speculation surrounding the political alignments of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders, Supriya Sule, the party’s working president, firmly quashed any notions of a potential move by Sharad Pawar towards the BJP camp.
Sule emphasized that Sharad Pawar’s stance on this matter was unequivocally expressed during his speech in Sangola. In that speech, Pawar made it abundantly clear that the NCP would not enter into an alliance with the BJP due to stark differences in their ideological foundations.
Supriya Sule took to the media to provide reassurances to both the public and political circles, asserting that the confusion surrounding these speculations could be easily dispelled by paying close attention to the statements made by Sharad Pawar himself. She pointed to the Sangola speech and subsequent press briefings as the definitive sources that clarify Pawar’s position.
Sule went on to emphasize her proactive engagement with key coalition partners, the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), reiterating that there was no ambiguity or doubt about their existing alliances. She emphasized that her conversations with these parties had reaffirmed their commitment to their current political frameworks.
By drawing attention to Sharad Pawar’s Sangola speech, Supriya Sule aimed to put to rest any lingering uncertainty regarding the NCP’s political affiliations. Her statements conveyed the party’s unwavering stand against aligning with the BJP and its ideological principles. Sule’s remarks sought to reassure both the party’s supporters and the broader public that the NCP’s political direction remained firmly grounded in its established partnerships and values.
