Did Sharad Pawar know? Can he hold NCP?

MUMBAI/ NEW DELHI: When Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy CM alongside Devendra Fadnavis early on Saturday, one big question which wasnt immediately clear was if his uncle Sharad Pawar was on board. Soon Pawar senior made it clear that Ajits decision was personal, but many still asked the question. The Congress, however, was in a mood to give him the benefit of doubt.
The NCPs act of getting a majority of its legislators for the evening meeting at which Ajit Pawar was sacked as legislative party chief also restored belief among many of his party functionaries and followers that the outfit could still avert the split that was being sought to be made. The appearance of several of the 11 rebel legislators added further hope, especially the presence of Dhananjay Munde, Pankaja Mundes cousin at whose residence all the Ajit Pawar backers had mobilized in the morning.
Sharad Pawar, at his noon presser with Uddhav Thackeray, rejected the speculation that Ajits defiance was the result of a power struggle with Pawars daughter Supriya Sule over the post of CM. “Supriya is not interested in state politics. She is an MP and more keen on national politics,” Pawar said.
To a question over the split in the party and his family, Pawar said, “I have been through this earlier as well. In 1980, I was successful in defeating all those who deserted me. Politics and family are different.”
Pawar said the Congress, NCP and Sena, along with independents and smaller parties, have the support of 169 to 170 MLAs, and they were ready to form the government.
The new government will not pass the floor test, Pawar said, adding, “Congress, NCP and Sena have the numbers and we will form the government. We are together and are capable of tackling such obstacles,” he said.
Though Ajit Pawars apparent revolt appeared to have jolted the NCP in the morning, with Supriya Sule saying the party and family had been split and alleging betrayal, a former NCP minister said there would be no adverse impact on the party. The chief reason for that is Sharad Pawars impressive performance during the October assembly elections, where he fought back strongly against a powerful BJP.
“Despite the fact that PM Modi campaigned extensively in the state, Pawar restricted BJP to 105 seats, while NCPs tally increased from 41 (in 2014) to 54. Further, Pawar succeeded in bringing together the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena for providing an alternative to the BJP,” the ex-minister said.
Sources said Supriya, who was close to Ajit, had asked him to reconsider his decision in the larger interest of the party. A close family friend of the Pawars said Supriya and Ajit “have an extremely good relationship and both are mature enough to understand each other.” Also, SupriRead More – Source