Even earlier than settling into her new position as deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Sunetra Pawar discovered herself going through challenges each on the aspect of the ruling Mahayuti alliance and state politics.
On the federal government entrance, Sunetra’s problem seems to have solely simply begun, beginning with weekly cupboard and district planning conferences. She continues to be making an attempt to know the executive tasks of the chair, which was as soon as held by her late husband, Nationalist Congress Occasion (NCP) stalwart Ajit Pawar, after allegations of corruption by an workplace bearer within the state Meals and Medication Division, headed by senior NCP minister Narhari Jirwal, got here to mild. The Anti-Corruption Bureau carried out raids, arrested clerks, and sealed workplaces. “I’ve no position to play, however I’m able to resign if any hyperlink is confirmed,” Girwal stated.
The corruption scandals at Mantralaya, the state authorities headquarters, have embarrassed the Bharatiya Janata Occasion-led Mahayuti simply as CM Devendra Fadnavis embarks on a mission to make the federal government extra accountable and clear.
In such a state of affairs, Sunetra’s position within the authorities and her directions to NCP ministers and MPs can be within the highlight. Nonetheless, the corruption case doesn’t bode effectively for both the minister involved or the NCP.
A senior minister from Mahayuti stated, “There is no such thing as a foundation to justify such instances, however this isn’t an remoted case. Right here people are caught red-handed. The switch of funds to hold out work is deeply ingrained in our authorities throughout ministries and organizations.” Tackling this successfully would require political will and public participation, the minister stated.
Nonetheless, the NCP is understood to have a penchant for controversy. Over the previous 12 months, Ajit Pawar had sacked two ministers, Dhananjay Munde, who was sacked within the Beed Sarpanch homicide case, and Manikrao Kokate, who was sacked after a court docket upheld his conviction in a 1995 housing fraud case.
Munde’s shut aide Wolmik Karad is a suspect within the homicide of Masajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, whereas Kokate had additionally come beneath hearth after a video of him consuming rummy within the state meeting went viral.
Within the newest corruption case, a Meals and Drug Administration official is accused of in search of a bribe of Rs 50,000 to resume a medical retailer’s license.
Whereas Munde and Kokate had been compelled to resign after a snowballing spat, comparable motion has not been taken in varied incidents allegedly involving ministers of the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, one other Bharatiya Janata Occasion ally. Regardless of his public requires accountability and transparency, Fadnavis has solely been in a position to report points to alliance companions and go away it as much as them to take motion.
In accordance with a BJP insider, “The CM will take a complete choice after thorough session with Sunetra Pawar and Eknath Shinde on good governance. And we can’t rule out the opportunity of a reshuffle to take away non-performing ministers within the coming months after the price range session.”
The state’s price range session from February 23 to March 25 can be essential for Mahayuti, with Fadnavis anticipated to set the route for administration and governance by means of the 2026-27 price range.
However whereas it is nonetheless early days for Sunetra, who lacks the political and administrative expertise of her husband, folks conversant in the matter say she stays level-headed and centered on main the way in which. “Many individuals inside and outdoors the federal government have been stunned by the resolute stance she has proven,” stated a senior Bharatiya Janata Occasion official.
Battle with Sharad Energy faction
A couple of days after Ajit Pawar’s dying, amid questions over his successor, Sunetra discovered herself caught up in an influence wrestle between the NCP and NCP (SP) factions.
Because the NCP is but to pick a brand new chief, get together working committee chairman Praful Patel stated on Friday, “Sunetra Pawar is the one candidate for NCP president. There’s absolute consensus on this. It is going to be chosen inside two weeks.”
Nonetheless, the NCP (SP) leaders are adamant in regards to the proposed merger between the 2 factions, and though the method was centered round Ajit’s assist, the NCP leaders haven’t dismissed it. As NCP(SP) chief Shashikant Shinde stated, “Ajit Pawar was supposed to guide the merged faction. He had began the method in fact correction.”
Nonetheless, state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare stated the get together has not acquired any merger proposal from the NCP(SP). “Ajit Pawar believed that being within the authorities would allow him to progress, so after weighing the professionals and cons, he determined to hitch the Bharatiya Janata Occasion-led coalition authorities.”
Amid these competing narratives surrounding the merger, Sunetra is compelled to stroll a tightrope between factions. Whereas establishing his political id throughout the NCP, Sunetra Pawar may even must be cautious of unrest throughout the NCP(SP).
NCP insiders stated, “It’s unlikely that the merger between NCP and NCP(SP) will occur quickly. It has been placed on the again burner.”
In the meantime, the state Bharatiya Janata Occasion management has appealed to Congress and native leaders to watch out to not become involved in merger politics.
“Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar is able to main the NCP. The BJP believes that she is competent and has each proper to resolve on the merger,” stated Navnath Bhan, head of the BJP media cell. He added that the BJP helps Sunetra-led NCP.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Sanjay Raut had earlier slammed the Bharatiya Janata Occasion, claiming that “the Bharatiya Janata Occasion will regularly exploit and dump its alliance companions…The NCP is dominated by Amit Shah and never Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra.”
