Ajit Pawar will get opportunity to become CM, says Praful Patel

Ajit Pawar. Credit: PTI File Photo

Amid the fluid political situation in Maharashtra, a statement by NCP’s Praful Patel has once again triggered speculations that Ajit Pawar could become the chief minister.

However, Patel has not specified any time frame.

The 64-year-old Ajit Pawar, the nephew of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, has been a minister for close to a quarter of a century, was the Leader of the Opposition, and is currently serving as the Deputy Chief Minister.

Also Read | Ajit Pawar won't become Maharashtra CM and he is aware of this fact, says Fadnavis

On 2 July, Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle with a large chunk of MLAs and joined the BJP-led NDA coalition to be part of the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra and be the Deputy Chief Minister alongside BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis.

Over the past few months, there has been speculation that Shinde, who heads the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government - is on his way out though the BJP has denied it repeatedly even as posters have emerged describing Ajit Pawar, a former MP and seven-time Baramati MLA, as the future chief minister.

Patel, who is the NCP’s Working President, has made an open-ended statement in Nagpur, triggering speculations once again on Junior Pawar assuming the top job.

“The post (of Chief Minister) is not vacant, so why talk about it,” said Patel.

Also Read | Uddhav Thackeray praises his ex-cabinet colleague Ajit Pawar, says he works honestly

"Ajit Dada is a popular leader. He has been leading our party for several years now. Those who work get the opportunity either today, tomorrow or the day after. Many have got the opportunity. Ajit Dada will also get it, if not today, tomorrow or anytime in future. We will work in that direction,” said Patel, a Rajya Sabha member and former Civil Aviation Minister.

It may be mentioned leaders of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi including Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut and veteran Congressman Prithviraj Chavan had claimed that Ajit Pawar could be the chief minister in August in view of the disqualification pleas against Shinde and his group members.

The statement of Patel comes days after Fadnavis had ruled out any such possibility. "As a leader of the single largest party in ‘Maha Yuti' (NDA), I am officially telling you that Ajit Pawar will not become the chief minister of Maharashtra….When meetings of 'Maha Yuti' took place…Ajit Pawar was given a clear picture that he would not get the post of chief minister,” Fadnavis had said.

On the other hand, members of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena had claimed that the Opposition is engaged in spreading rumours and this shows their frustration.