EVEN as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar met his estranged uncle and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on his birthday in Delhi Thursday morning after more than a year, the NCP dismissed speculations about the possible reunion of the two units. ''Don't go on that subject.During our meeting with Pawar saheb, there was no discussion about politics,'' Maharashtra president of the NCP Sunil Tatkare told this paper. The sudden meeting the two leaders had triggered speculations in political circles about the possible reunion of the two NCP units. Tatkare said it was not a ''sudden'' meeting but the occasion warranted that they meet the senior leader. ''We went to meet him to wish him whole-heartedly on his birthday. No political issues were discussed,'' he emphasised. During Diwali, both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar were in Baramati, their home turf. Both celebrated Diwali at their residences and met citizens and party workers separately. It was the first time in several years both decided to celebrate Diwali separately. Ajit Pawar, his wife Sunetra, son Parth, leaders Praful Patel and Chhagan Bhujbal met Pawar at his official residence in New Delhi on Thursday morning, where they were received by Lok Sabha Baramati MP Supriya Sule. Though Sule hugged Sunetra Pawar, both of them have not been on talking terms as Sule defeated her sister-in-law in Baramati constituency in the Lok Sabha elections held in June this year. Before the elections and even post-elections, there was no communication between them. While Ajit Pawar said they discussed several issues, including the vandalism in Parbhani and Maharashtra Cabinet expansion, Sharad Pawar’s family said it was taken aback by Ajit Pawar's sudden visit. The meeting was also held after the thumping victory of the Mahayuti alliance — of which Ajit Pawar was a key constituent — in the recently held Maharashtra Assembly elections. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, of which Sharad Pawar's party was a part, suffered a smashing defeat. Speaking to reporters after meeting Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar said, “It’s Saheb's birthday and tomorrow Kaki will be celebrating her birthday. Therefore, I came to take their darshan. After taking their blessings, we had some tea and discussion on other issues like vandalism in Parbhani, Parliament, cabinet expansion. Political discussions keep taking place.'' Meanwhile, his nephew Yugendra Pawar said Ajit Pawar's meeting with Sharad Pawar came as a surprise to them. "We didn't know Ajit Pawar was coming today. Politics and ideology should remain on one side and family ties on another side.Though Ajit Pawar parted ways, I feel that our family should remain one. Today's meeting must be a step towards that,” said Yugendra, who was also in Delhi to wish his grandfather on his birthday. Yugendra also denied that the two Pawar camps were vitriolic in their attack during the campaigning for the Maharashtra Assembly election. "Both sides did not criticise each other severely. No one stooped low. Our family never behaves in that way," he said. Criticising Ajit Pawar, Sanjay Raut, spokesperson of the Shiv Sena (UBT) said, ''If I had backstabbed a leader like Sharad Pawar, I woud not have dared to see him eye to eye. If for selfish gains, I had committed some mistakes, I would not have seen eye to eye with Balasaheb Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray. I would have felt ashamed. This is my personal view and not that of my party.'' Raut said,''First he (Ajit Pawar) criticises Sharad Pawar and then goes to wish him happy birthday. Will Maharashtra approve of such a behaviour?'' Rohit Pawar, MLA and grandnephew of Sharad Pawar, said,''Ajit Pawar visited Sharad Pawar along with other leaders. This is our culture and we should preserve it." Rohit said sometimes when one leader meets another, it leads to all sorts of discussion. ''There is no meaning into it.We should practice politics of development and avoid bitterness. Bittterness triggers criticism, it helps none,'' he said.
