18 February,2024 08:47 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ajit Pawar. File Pic
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Sunday said that the party cadre stands united in the Baramati constituency, a remark coming amid speculation about a potential face-off between his wife and sitting MP Supriya Sule. He said that the candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be selected carefully, reported the PTI.
Speaking to reporters after attending a party event at Vashi in Navi Mumbai, Ajit Pawar also said that the candidates for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be selected carefully after considering various aspects, as per the PTI.
"No rift. Harmony prevails in the NCP rank in Baramati," Ajit Pawar said responding to a query.
Notably, speculations are rife that Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar may be the NCP contestant from Baramati, the Pawar family stronghold, against her sister-in-law Supriya Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, according to the PTI.
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"Candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be selected after careful consideration," Ajit Pawar said.
The Ajit Pawar-ld NCP is part of the Mahayuti government, which also comprises Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP.
Ajit Pawar ruled out any discord between himself and BJP leader Harshvardhan Patil, amid speculation that the latter's daughter is set to make her political debut.
"Discussions will be held with BJP leaders Devendra Fadnavis, Chandrashekar Bawankule, and Harshvardhan Patil in this regard," he said.
He said the state government's decision to provide free education to female children from families with an annual income of up to Rs 8 lakh aligned with the principles of social justice which underscores Maharashtra's commitment to inclusive progress.
NCP leader Praful Patel said the world and India are changing for the better and appealed to party workers to embrace this change.
NCP's Maharashtra unit president Sunil Tatkare said the party visualises a progressive and inclusive Maharashtra.
Meanwhile, Baramati MP and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) working president Supriya Sule on Sunday responded to speculation about her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar being nominated against her in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Sule asserted there is nothing personal and the fight is ideological.
Sunetra is the wife of Supriya Sule's cousin and current Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also heads the rival faction of Nationalist Congress Party. Ajit Pawar led faction of NCP was announced as real NCP by election commission and assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar. Election Commission also allotted the party symbol 'clock' to Ajit Pawar faction.
(with PTI inputs)
