The resignation announcement of senior Maharashtra politician and former Union Minister Sharad Pawar as president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Maharashtra. The announcement came after a meeting of the NCP’s core committee in Mumbai on Monday, leaving many wondering who will take over as the party chief.
Pawar has cited the need for a new generation to guide the party and its direction. He has recommended the formation of a committee to decide on the election of the vacancy for the President’s post. The move has triggered speculation about who will be the next chief of the NCP.
Mr. Pawar, a top opposition leader, played a crucial role in forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra by stitching together an unlikely alliance between Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP. He has been the president of the NCP since its inception in 1999.
While there has been no official announcement on who will succeed him as the party chief, the move comes amid speculation around his nephew, Ajit Pawar, possibly aligning with the BJP. The BJP, which is reportedly looking to bolster its numbers in Maharashtra, had earlier said it would “welcome” Ajit Pawar if he were to jump ship.
Notably, Sharad Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule, had hinted at “two big political explosions” 15 days ago, leading to further speculation about the future of the NCP and the Maharashtra government. “One (explosion) in Delhi and one in Maharashtra,” Supriya Sule, a senior NCP MP, told reporters, responding to Prakash Ambedkar’s comment on “big political explosions in 15 days”.
The development is expected to have significant implications for the opposition’s efforts to challenge the ruling BJP in Maharashtra, as Sharad Pawar is a key figure in the state’s political landscape. It remains to be seen how the NCP will handle this unexpected development and who will emerge as the party’s new leader.