NCP Chief Sharad Pawar put an end to the uncertainty surrounding his successor by designating his dependable lieutenant Praful Patel and daughter Supriya Sule as the party's working presidents, positions created just for them. However, the action increased the level of ambiguity surrounding the future of Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Pawar, who has long desired to lead the party.
In a move that could strengthen her standing inside the party hierarchy, Supriya was also chosen head of the central election authority, the body that chooses party nominees. While party leaders clapped and cheered Pawar’s announcement at an event organised in Delhi to mark the party’s 25th foundation day, a grim-looking Ajit Pawar, seated at the far end of the dais away from his uncle, looked visibly uncomfortable, even though he made a halfhearted effort to hide his discontentment by covering his eyes with his sunglasses.
When party workers broke into a dance and raised slogans for Supriya, Ajit made a quick exit, minutes after Pawar Senior cut a cake to celebrate NCP’s foundation day. The choice of Delhi as the venue intrigued many as Mumbai is the political capital of the party.
The important announcement by Pawar, comes in the backdrop of his nephew’s growing restiveness over the ambiguity of his position.
Not unhappy, more keen on state politics: Ajit
I am not unhappy, I am more interested in state politics,” Ajit said after the NCP reshuffle, adding that it was he who had proposed Supriya’s name as working president. Sources said Ajit was expected to ensure the MVA returns to office after the 2024 state polls and should NCP secure more seats than its partners in such a scenario, he would be the CM candidate.