After Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash, the NCP faces leadership uncertainty as the party says no decision has yet been taken on Sunetra Pawar’s role.
Uncertainty in Maharashtra Politics as NCP Yet to Decide on Sunetra Pawar’s Role (Source: X/ @TruthDefenders_)
Maharashtra politics has entered a phase of uncertainty following the tragic death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati. His sudden passing has raised major questions about the future leadership of his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the deputy chief minister’s post.
Amid growing speculation, senior NCP leader Praful Patel clarified on Friday that no decision has been made about assigning any official role to Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife. Patel said some party leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and informed him that a decision regarding the new party leader would be taken soon.
"No decision is taken on Sunetra Pawar. An MLAs' meeting will be convened soon and a decision (on Ajit Pawar's successor) will be taken by respecting the sentiments of the people," Patel said while speaking to the media outside Fadnavis’s residence.
Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP is a key partner in the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra and has 41 MLAs in the state assembly. The group has strong political influence, especially in western and northern Maharashtra.
Following Pawar’s demise, several NCP leaders expressed support for Sunetra Pawar, who is a Rajya Sabha member, to take a leadership role in the party. Some leaders also suggested she should be inducted into the Maharashtra cabinet.
“Many people told us that ‘vahini’ should be brought into the mainstream,” said senior NCP leader and minister Narhari Zirwal. He added that this request would be placed before the party leadership and a decision would be taken soon.
Ajit Pawar was among five people who died in the Learjet 45 crash in Baramati on Wednesday. The crash was extremely severe, making identification difficult.
“We saw his wristwatch on his hand. This and his clothes helped identify him. His face was not recognisable,” said a local resident.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun a formal probe into the crash. Officials have secured the aircraft’s black box, which will help determine the cause of the accident.
