A banner projecting NCP leader Ajit Pawar as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra is put up by a pole in Nagpur on April 26, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
Amid talks of Leader of the Opposition and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar joining the ruling Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra, the NCP leader is being projected as the ‘future Chief Minister of Maharashtra’. The posters have been printed. parts of the state.
Despite Mr. Ajit Pawar himself strongly rejecting speculation that he would join the BJP-Shinde alliance, banners with catchy taglines proclaiming him as the ‘future chief minister’ go up in Nagpur – BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis’ stronghold – and Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad) among other places.
The unfurling of these banners ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Nagpur (on April 27) has triggered a fresh round of speculation, while Mr. Ajit Pawar has apparently reprimanded his NCP supporters for putting up such posters. Spirited elements were forbidden.
Responding to the issue of the banners, NCP chief Sharad Pawar (who is Ajit’s uncle) said in Mumbai: “Ajit Pawar himself has said that projecting his poster as the future CM is madness.”
21 april interview
On April 21, during an interview conducted by a leading regional media group, Mr. Ajit Pawar, who had earlier held the post of Deputy Chief Minister four times, made a sarcastic quip in response to a question: “Not only in 2024, I will still be the Chief Minister. Ready to present claim for.
When later questioned about the discussion generated by his statement of his desire to become chief minister, he had said: “In response to the interviewer’s question, I only said why wait till 2024, if we [NCP] Even if I get majority today, I would still like to become the CM. Now, that I have given my opinion, I am not bound to respond to what others keep saying.”
Despite both Ajit and Sharad Pawar indicating that there is nothing to be read into such statements, supporters of the former are still targeting Mr. Ajit Pawar to become the Chief Minister.
NCP MLA from Amalner (in Jalgaon district) Anil Patil, who is said to be close to Ajit, said Maharashtra would benefit immensely if the NCP leader becomes the chief minister.
“It would be to the benefit of the state if Ajit grandfather becomes CM. Even the people of Maharashtra agree that if they get a CM like Ajit grandfatherSo it will be good for the functioning of the state,” said Mr. Anil Patil.
The banner speculation has gathered pace amid rumors that the BJP is reportedly ‘unhappy’ with ‘rebel’ Shiv Sena leader and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Mr Shinde will be replaced soon.
Raut’s claim
Most prominent in expressing the above view has been Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut, who has claimed that the Shinde government will apparently “fall in the next 15 days.”
Mr Raut has further claimed that “movement had started behind the scenes in New Delhi” to replace Mr Shinde as the chief minister of Maharashtra.
Mr Raut said Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s second visit to Maharashtra in a fortnight should be seen in the context of the current volatile political situation in the state.
“The present government is unstable. So, Amit Shah will be coming again to play his ‘pawns’… He is less Union Home Minister and more a BJP leader. The country and the state need a good home minister. Whose poster are they probably coming to see? [Ajit Pawar’s or Mr. Shinde’s] There is more fire in it,” Mr Raut quipped.
Meanwhile, Mr. Raut’s ally, NCP chief Mr. Sharad Pawar refused to comment on the earlier statement about a possible change of Chief Minister in the state.
“I haven’t heard anything about [replacement of CM]… This is Raut’s statement; He is a journalist… and you journalists know a little too much about all things,” Mr Pawar quipped.
Earlier this week, Mr Ajit Pawar had reiterated that he would “remain in the NCP till his last breath” to put to rest the rumors swirling around him.
Addressing a meeting of his party workers and constituents in the Pawar clan stronghold of Baramati (in Pune district), Shri Ajit Pawar said a lot of rumors were spread about him “without any reason” in the past few days And he urged his supporters not to do so. To be a victim of wild speculation.
Mr. Ajit Pawar had attempted to form a government in 2019 after the Maharashtra Assembly elections with the BJP. His morning swearing-in with Mr. Fadnavis had taken the state by surprise at that time.