Another tussle between Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar looks likely. This time it will be over Pune

Supriya Sule says she would look into the Pune affairs on behalf of the NCP amid the changed political scenario.

supriya sule, ajit pawar, pune news, maharashtra assembly elections, indian express

Supriya Sule announced she would take an active part in the affairs of Pune after her cousin parted ways leading to the split in the Nationalist Congress Party. (Express Archives)

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Ahead of the crucial Maharashtra Assembly elections, a tussle is likely to erupt between NCP working president Supriya Sule and her cousin Ajit Pawar, who is the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister as well as the Pune Guardian Minister, in the city.

On Sunday, Sule announced she would take an active part in the affairs of Pune after her cousin parted ways leading to the split in the Nationalist Congress Party. Meanwhile, leaders of his faction said Pawar, who recently took over as the Pune Guardian Minister, is already working towards resolving issues facing the Pune city and district.

At the inauguration of the Pune Navratri Mohotsav, Sule said she would look into the affairs of Pune as an MP and at the local unit of the party amid the changes that have taken place within the party leadership which was involved in taking care of the NCP’s stand in the city.

“Citizens are approaching me as MP so I will take up their issue. I will be active in city affairs,” she said.

NCP’s Pune unit chief Prashant Jagtap said Sule has made it clear with her remarks that she would be involved in the party affairs and also take up city issues as a representative of the NCP. Sule would also hold meetings with authorities in Pune on issues facing the city, he added.

Jagtap, who has continued to support Sharad Pawar, said, “There was an unwritten understanding that Sule would not look into city affairs as Ajit Pawar was active as an NCP representative. She deliberately stayed away from city affairs and restricted herself to the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency. However, the political situation has changed now as Ajit Pawar has parted ways”.

Pradeep Deshmukh, executive president of the Pune unit of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, said Sule’s announcement that she would look into the affairs of the city was a welcome step.

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“In a democracy, everyone has the right to work for the interest of a political party and take up issues of the city. If more people look into city affairs the better it will be for the city. It is a welcome step and will help in resolving city-related issues,” said Deshmukh.

Deshmukh added Ajit Pawar has already started reviewing the projects being implemented in the city.

Apart from the likely tussle between Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar, his appointment as the Pune Guardian Minister has also led to a lot of discussion in political circles after senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil had to step down from the post.

Local BJP leaders had expressed displeasure after Patil was asked to give up the post of guardian minister to Ajit Pawar at a time when the elections for Lok Sabha and Assembly as well as civic bodies are scheduled to be held in the near future.

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On his part, while addressing the party workers in the Baramati constituency last week, Patil had said he was aware that the party cadre was unhappy over the party giving up the guardian minister post to an alliance partner but it was a compromise in return for something big for the BJP.

Ajay Jadhav

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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