Could Sunetra Pawar be the new Deputy CM? Continuity talks begin amid leadership vacuum

A section of Nationalist Congress Party NCP leaders believe that Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar the wife of the late Ajit Pawar could potentially lead the party and join the state government as deputy chief minister or a minister and one of her sons Parth and Jay could be nominated to the Upper House in her placeAccording to party sources it is too early to discuss whatrsquos next for the NCP But a midrank party leader admitted that a section within the party informally was said to be weighing the need for continuity and stability after the leadership vacuum created by the demise of the deputy chief ministerWith the BJP already gearing up for the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections recent municipal council and corporation polls have shown growing competition among the three Mahayuti partners Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawarrsquos NCP and Eknath Shindersquos Shiv SenaNCP leader Sunetra Pawar interacts with a child while canvassing for votes in Pune in the runup to state election in 2024 File picFollowing Ajitrsquos passing this battle of open oneupmanship is expected to intensify further with the BJP likely to see an opportunity to assert itself in western Maharashtra long considered a stronghold of the Pawar familyNo wonder with political equations in Maharashtra changing rapidly all eyes are now on the Ajit Pawarled NCP and its next steps in selecting leadership and decisions on key posts including the deputy chief minister and the crucial finance and planning portfolio in the state governmentOn Thursday midday shed light on how the BJP was eyeing a crucial finance portfolio as Fadnavis was always keen to keep this ministry with himself as it plays a crucial role in the development of the stateAware of the changing political scenario and need to move swiftly many within the party believe that Parth or Jay do not have much experience in Maharashtrarsquos electoral or legislative politics yet and in such a situation Sunetra can step in to fill the gap and lead the party at the state levelldquoNo one other than a Thackeray can lead the Shiv Sena Similarly for the NCP only a Pawar will be accepted at the helm of affairs It is only a Pawar who can keep the party intact and going Hence Sunetra Pawar can be a good replacement in Maharashtra While one of their sons can be nominated to the Rajya Sabha in her placerdquo the leader addedThe leader further stated that senior leaders like Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel are already based in Delhi and can guide the new Pawar generation at the national level He also mentioned that besides Patel and Tatkare senior leaders from other NCP faction such as veteran leader Sharad Pawar Rajya Sabha MP and his daughter Supriya Sule Lok Sabha MP from Baramati also have vast parliamentary experience and could help guide one of Ajitrsquos sons in navigating politics in DelhiThreeNo of seats won by NCP in BMC election