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This is an archive article published on July 3, 2023

Junior Pawar or Senior Pawar? Pune’s NCP leaders are in a fix

Many Nationalist Congress Party leaders have adopted a wait-and-watch strategy before declaring their support for either Sharad Pawar or Ajit Pawar

Pune NCP Ajit Sharad PawarA banner carrying both Sharad and Ajit Pawar photographs of a Gurupurnima event at Swargate on Monday. Owing to the recent political development, the event was postponed. (Express Photo: Arul Horizon)
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Junior Pawar or Senior Pawar? Pune’s NCP leaders are in a fix
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Even as Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Amol Kolhe, who represents Shirur in Pune district, appeared to have returned to the Sharad Pawar camp after being present at the swearing-in ceremony of Ajit Pawar and eight other NCP MLAs in Mumbai, party leaders from Pune city are in a fix over which direction to turn.

The NCP has two legislators in Pune — Sunil Tingre from Vadgaonsheri and Chetan Tupe from Hadapsar. Tingre is close to Ajit Pawar and is likely to stand by his leader while Tupe is undecided.

“The political developments at the state level happened so fast, the leaders are yet to digest the situation. Many are following a wait-and-watch strategy to officially declare their stand. It will take time for everyone to take a stand as their political career is at stake due to the change in situation,” said a senior NCP leader.

Former state women NCP chief Rupali Chakankar, who is the chairperson of Maharashtra State Commission For Women, is learnt to have met Ajit Pawar after the swearing-in ceremony indicating her support. She has been publicly demanding a party ticket to contest from Khadakwasla Assembly constituency.

At the same time, Pune NCP chief Prashant Jagtap has expressed his support to Sharad Pawar while party spokesperson Pradeep Deshmukh met Ajit Pawar in Mumbai to congratulate him for becoming deputy chief minister.

Another Pune-based leader, NCP Rajya Sabha MP Vandana Chavan, has been accompanying Sharad Pawar to various places since the political development took place and is considered to be loyal to the senior Pawar.

Nothing better illustrated the confusion that gripped the party than a hoarding that was put up at Swargate for a Guru Purnima event at 9.30 am on Monday. It featured both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar. The event was subsequently postponed after the chief guest Ajit Pawar conveyed his unavailability due to the political developments in Mumbai.

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More


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