The funeral of Ajit Pawar, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), who tragically lost his life in an aviation accident, was held with state honors in Baramati on Thursday. The ceremony was attended by prominent political figures including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National President Nitin Nabin, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Ritesh Deshmukh. Family members and supporters bid a tearful farewell as they mourned the loss of a significant figure in Maharashtra politics.
The sudden demise of Ajit Pawar has left a significant void in the NCP, with many speculating that his passing may ultimately halt the ongoing talks about the reunification of two factions within the party. For the past few days, there had been discussions about the potential for a merger between the Babai and Abbayi groups, especially in light of their recent collaboration during the Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal elections. Ajit Pawar had publicly announced that under his leadership, the NCP would contest elections in alliance with Sharad Pawar’s faction, emphasizing the need for unity for the benefit of the state.
In the recent municipal elections held in Pimpri-Chinchwad, the BJP maintained its stronghold, winning 84 seats and signaling a resounding victory. Meanwhile, the NCP was limited to just 37 seats, with the Shiv Sena securing 7 and other parties winning 5 seats. This marked a shift from the previous elections, where the BJP won 77 seats and the NCP secured 35. Despite the two factions of the NCP joining forces, they were unable to displace the BJP in Pimpri-Chinchwad. However, the Pawar family’s potential reunification has sparked renewed enthusiasm among the party’s supporters, with hopes that both groups might come together again.
Following Ajit Pawar’s unexpected death, discussions regarding the reunification of the two factions have reportedly been paused. Conversations about this matter are currently confined to family members of the Pawar clan, who are working on strategies with senior leaders from both factions to plan the path forward. It has been indicated that the reunification process may be delayed for a few days, but there is optimism that it will resume once the NCP appoints a new leader.
Amidst this turmoil, rumors are circulating that Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, may be entrusted with the leadership of the party. Meanwhile, speculation is rife regarding whether Sharad Pawar, known as a seasoned warrior in Maharashtra politics, will step back into a more prominent role. There are predictions that he might play a crucial role in selecting the new party leader, with many believing that he could advocate for his daughter, Supriya Sule, to take the helm. She has been actively working to bridge the gap between the two factions and strengthen party unity.
On the other hand, there are indications that the BJP might favor Sunetra Pawar as the successor, viewing her as a potential political heir to Ajit Pawar. As the political landscape in Maharashtra continues to evolve, questions remain about whether Sharad Pawar will reclaim his influential position within the NCP. The coming days will reveal how the party navigates this challenging time and whether it can effectively consolidate its factions to regain political stability.
