In Supriya Sule’s elevation, an Ajit Pawar-sized riddle for NCP

While Pawar denied it, Sule's elevation does raise questions on Ajit's role in the party in near future. Until recently, he was seen as heading towards taking control of the party's Maharashtra unit, with Sule handling national matters.

NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule (ANI)

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NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s appointment of his daughter and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, along with senior leader Praful Patel, as working presidents of the party, on Saturday is typical of the man who has straddled Indian politics for nearly half-a-century.

Announcing the two leaders’ elevation, Pawar dismissed reports about his nephew and former state minister Ajit Pawar being unhappy at being overlooked for the party’s top position. He said such speculation does not contain “even 1 per cent truth”.

Also Read | NCP gets a new working president and a Maharashtra in-charge – and it’s Supriya Sule

While Pawar denied it, Sule’s elevation does raise questions on Ajit’s role in the party in near future. Until recently, he was seen as heading towards taking control of the party’s Maharashtra unit, with Sule handling national matters.

Asked at the media conference in Delhi who would be the new party chief, Pawar said the post is “not vacant yet”.

It is Sule’s appointment that may raise some eyebrows. An articulate voice in the Lok Sabha, Sule was understood to have been happy in this role, leaving more nitty-gritty political matters in Maharashtra to cousin Ajit. Her elevation as Maharashtra in-charge may see her stepping on Ajit’s shoes, and all eyes will be on whether this proves to be the breaking point for the rebellious nephew.

Also Read | In Sule’s elevation, an Ajit-sized riddle for NCP

At a press conference after the party event, Pawar said everyone had been consulted on the decisions. “Everybody in the party has specific responsibilities. Jayant Patil is Maharashtra president of the NCP, Ajit Pawar is the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. Patel and Sule had no responsibilities until now,” he said.

Also Read | In presence of nephew, Sharad Pawar names Supriya Sule, Praful Patel as NCP working presidents

There was no immediate reaction from Ajit. But BJP, which has tacitly and overtly courted Ajit, did not refrain from taking a swipe. Its leader in the Legislative Council, Pravin Darekar, said: “Be it NCP workers or the public perception, after Pawar, everybody looks at Ajit Pawar as the second-in-command. And this is on merit, because Ajit is hardworking and has built the organisation. Yet, Sharad Pawar has chosen his daughter to lead the party as his political heir.”

Alok Deshpande

Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues. Expertise Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai. Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands'). Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including: State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance. Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana). Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides). Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits. Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects. Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission. Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards. Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra. He tweets @alokdesh ... Read More