In a significant development within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, has been nominated as a candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. This decision has come amidst internal deliberations and discussions among senior party leaders, marking a pivotal move ahead of the vacant seats in the Upper House.
Addressing the media, veteran NCP leader and state minister Chhagan Bhujbal expressed his acceptance of the collective decision to nominate Sunetra Pawar, despite his own eagerness to contest in the Rajya Sabha polls. “Even though I was keen on contesting, the party leaders finalized her name during a meeting held on Wednesday evening,” Chhagan Bhujbal remarked, emphasizing the party’s internal decision-making process.
The nomination of Sunetra Pawar comes following her electoral setback in the recent Lok Sabha elections from the Baramati constituency, where her sister-in-law Supriya Sule secured her fourth consecutive victory.
Highlighting the broader context, Chhangan Bhujbal clarified that the decision to nominate Sunetra Pawar was not unilaterally decided by Ajit Pawar but was reached collectively by the NCP’s core group. “It’s important to note that Ajit Pawar did not make the decision alone. It was a consensus reached by the party’s leadership,” Chhangan Bhujbal reiterated, underlining the inclusive nature of the decision-making process within the NCP.
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has formally announced ten vacancies across various states, including Maharashtra, where two seats are to be filled. These vacancies arose following the election of several members, including prominent figures like Piyush Goyal and Udayanraje Bhonsle, to the Lok Sabha.
Responding to queries about the allocation of key positions within the party, Chhangan Bhujbal dismissed any notion of familial influence, stating, “Decisions within the NCP are made after thorough discussions and consultations, reflecting our commitment to democratic principles.”
Regarding his own aspirations, Chhangan Bhujbal, who had earlier expressed interest in contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Nashik, reiterated his respect for collective decision-making within political alliances. “Respecting collective decisions has been my practice for the past 57 years, whether in Shiv Sena or NCP,” Chhangan Bhujbal affirmed, reflecting on his political journey and commitment to party directives.
The nomination of Sunetra Pawar for the Rajya Sabha seat underscores the NCP’s strategic moves amidst ongoing political dynamics in Maharashtra. As preparations intensify for the upcoming elections, all eyes are now on the unfolding developments within the party and its leadership’s strategies for the upcoming Rajya Sabha tenure.
