2 Offers Before Sharad Pawar To Join NDA As NCP Supremo Gears Up For State Wide Tour

Following a secret meeting between Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in Pune, speculations about potential political realignment in Maharashtra have become a hot topic of discussion.

The latest buzz is that Ajit Pawar is trying to woo senior Pawar to join the NDA, Times Now reported citing sources. It is reported that there are two offers before the NCP supremo.

First, Sharad Pawar could assume the role of the Union Agriculture Minister, a position he previously held during the UPA era, or he might become the chairperson of Niti Aayog.

Second, there is speculation that Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule could secure a role at the national level, while Jayant Patil would hold a position within the state administration.

Days ago, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan too had claimed that the BJP had offered the Union Agriculture Ministry to Sharad Pawar. His comments came after the Deputy CM met the NCP Chief in Pune at the residence of businessman Atul Choradia's bungalow.

However, Sharad Pawar has not accepted the offer, Chavan had said. "My information is that Pawar saheb has not accepted the offer made by Ajitdada," he added.

Responding to the reports, Sharad Pawar said, "Ajit Pawar is my nephew. Why is there such a hue and cry over a meeting between uncle and nephew?"

However, the current development has not gone well with the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi). The Maharashtra Congress had questioned the secret meeting and asked why the two leaders have to meet somewhere else. Nonetheless, Supriya Sule clarified that they will remain in the MVA.

"We can meet because we don't have any quarrels in our family. But when ideology, thoughts come to the fore, there will be conflict. Ajit Pawar has taken a separate decision but there is no difference in the Pawar family. Since we are relatives, we will meet," Rohit Pawar said downplaying the meeting.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Balasaheb Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said Ajit Pawar is not in a position to make offers to Sharad Pawar.

"Ajit Pawar is not that big a leader that he can make an offer to Sharad Pawar. Pawar Sahab made Ajit Pawar, Ajit Pawar didn't make Sharad Pawar....His (Sharad Pawar) stature is high," he added.

The developments come at a time when Sharad Pawar is set to begin his state-wide tour on August 17 from Beed in Marathwada region.