Ajit Pawar, who backed decision to resign, goes silent

He was seen controlling the entire situation and even asking his sister Supriya Sule to not speak then.

On Friday, after Sharad Pawar withdrew his resignation, Ajit was silent throughout the day. He was absent when the NCP chief held a press conference to announce the withdrawal of his resignation.

When asked about Ajit’s absence and talks about a section of the NCP willing to join hands with the BJP, Sharad Pawar brushed aside the possibility.

“All the party leaders who were part of the committee came to meet me today afternoon. This is my press conference. Nobody was invited to this press conference. Do all reporters attend all press conferences,” Pawar asked with a smirk on his face. He rubbished reports about a section of the NCP keen to join hands with the BJP. “This has no truth in it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ajit issued a statement later in the day where he welcomed his uncle’s decision to withdraw the resignation. “Accepting the demand of party workers encourages me and all our party workers and the decision will boost unity within the party and of Maha Vikas Aghadi as well as opposition parties in the country,” he said, adding that the NCP is a family and it will be successful in the state as well as in the Centre under Sharad Pawar’s leadership.

Last month, it was speculated that Ajit along with MLAs supporting him will yet again join hands with the BJP, though he denied any such move from his side. Two weeks back, Sharad Pawar while addressing the NCP youth wing said that it was time to spin the bread on the oven to prevent it from getting charred, hinting organisational overhaul in the party. It was perceived to be aimed at Ajit. When asked about this on Friday, Sharad Pawar said that he is now baking the new bread altogether.

Interestingly, it was Ajit on May 2 who said that after speaking to Pawar’s wife Pratibha it is clear that the NCP chief was in no mood to withdraw his resignation.

In a bid to quell reports about his absence from Mumbai over the next week, Ajit also announced his programme till May 12 where he will be travelling across the state in different districts. Both Ajit and the NCP chief are likely to be together at a programme in Satara on Monday.