Key Meet in Sharad Pawar’s Party today to decide on Next Step: 10 Facts
The Nationalist Congress Party is preparing for a successor to veteran leader Sharad Pawar, with Supriya Sule, Mr. Pawar’s daughter, being the favorite candidate. The committee tasked with choosing a successor will meet today to decide on the next step, which may include setting in motion the process of Supriya Sule’s elevation. Here are 10 points that elaborate on this big story:
1. The NCP is clearing decks for a successor to Sharad Pawar, just in case he doesn’t retract his resignation.
2. For the committee, the big challenge is to keep Mr. Pawar’s nephew, Ajit Pawar, within the fold.
3. The NCP is in talks with allies Congress and the Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray to pitch its leader as the Chief Ministerial face of the Maha Vikas Aghadi in the next assembly election.
4. Sharad Pawar’s shock resignation was announced on Tuesday amid speculation about Ajit Pawar’s growing proximity to the BJP.
5. On Wednesday, Ajit Pawar quoted his uncle as saying, “I took my decision, but because of all of you, I will rethink on my decision. But I need two to three days”.
6. Senior party leader Chaggan Bhujbal has endorsed Supriya Sule as Sharad Pawar’s successor.
7. After the 2018 assembly election, Ajit Pawar suddenly took oath with Devendra Fadnavis, as his uncle worked to stitch up a coalition with Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena and the Congress.
8. In a recent book, Pawar Senior said that he was “shocked” when he learned about it.
9. Many have hinted that Supriya Sule will take on Sharad Pawar’s mantle in the opposition.
10. Sharad Pawar has not shown any inclination to change his mind so far. Today, addressing the emotional partymen, Mr. Pawar said: “It is true that before taking such a decision, it should have been discussed with the co-workers. But I knew that you would never agree, so I took a direct decision”.
