Pune was abuzz with speculation as reports emerged of a proposal put forth by Ajit Pawar to Sharad Pawar during a discreet meeting held on August 13. The meeting, aimed at fostering unity within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and exploring Supriya Sule’s potential appointment to a Union Minister position within the Central Government, ultimately faced rejection from Sharad Pawar.
The private meeting took place between NCP President Sharad Pawar and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at the residence of prominent industrialist Atul Chordia in Koregaon Park, Pune. Although Chordia initially denied any such gathering, evidence of both leaders’ presence at bungalow number 73 on lane number 3 in Koregaon Park was substantiated by attending journalists and officials, leading to a flurry of speculation regarding the nature of their discussions.
As details from the meeting gradually surfaced, insiders unveiled that Ajit Pawar had put forward a proposal to Sharad Pawar, suggesting the consolidation of remaining NCP MLAs and MPs under his leadership. The objective behind this alignment was reportedly to explore collaboration either with Ajit Pawar himself or with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In exchange for such an alliance, Ajit Pawar allegedly assured Sharad Pawar that a ministerial position at the Central Government could be secured, possibly for Supriya Sule.
Initially slated to occur at a hotel, the meeting venue was shifted to Chordia’s residence. This change prompted speculation, not only within Pune’s political circles but also in Delhi, as sources indicated that leaders from both the BJP’s central leadership and the state government were closely monitoring the developments. Such surveillance from Delhi suggests the potential influence of external factors on the dynamics of the NCP.
The central theme of the meeting was to prioritize the consolidation of the NCP, minimizing any internal discord that might hinder the party’s effectiveness. During the discussion, Ajit Pawar reportedly emphasized that a united front comprising all NCP MPs and MLAs aligning with the BJP could potentially result in a ministerial role for Supriya Sule at the Central Government. He sought Sharad Pawar’s approval for this course of action and proposed that publicly announcing such intentions could bolster the NCP’s appeal to voters in upcoming elections. Despite these claims, Sharad Pawar has vehemently denied any such proposal being discussed.
