As Sharad Pawar closes doors on Ajit, Congress says he might return

Patole was commenting on NCP president Sharad Pawar’s affirmative reply over a statement made by his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule that Ajit is the leader of the NCP. Pawar later denied any statement made by him which claimed Ajit as the leader of the NCP.

Speaking at the press conference held in Dahivadi town of Satara district, Pawar on Friday asked when did he name Ajit as NCP’s leader. “When did I say it? Did I? If Supriya has said it, it is maybe because she is the younger sister of his and nobody should try and find politics in it,” he said.

When asked about Ajit’s return to the NCP, Pawar recalled how he was given a chance in 2019 after his early morning swearing-in ceremony with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis.

“Chances should not be sought repeatedly. Chances should not be given repeatedly,” he said, indirectly closing doors on Ajit.

Meanwhile, Congress said it stands with Pawar. “Neither the Congress nor the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray have any doubt about Sharad Pawar. We both stand behind Sharad Pawar with all our strength. We do not want to comment on the internal matters of the NCP, but Congress has clarified its position to support all who are fighting against the BJP,” said Patole.