NCP Dynamics: Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar's Meeting Highlights Political Tensions

NCP (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar attended a DPDC meeting, where he stood up to follow protocol upon meeting his nephew, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Despite following norms, tensions arose when Ajit objected to Sharad's questions on development funds. Sharad's daughter, Supriya Sule, accused the ruling party of suppressing dissent.

In a significant political event, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar stood up when he encountered his estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during an official meeting on Saturday.

NCP (SP) Baramati MP Supriya Sule emphasized that her father adhered to protocol by standing up, while Ajit objected when Sharad asked questions regarding the distribution of development funds. Sharad Pawar, 83, was present at the District Planning and Development Council (DPDC) meeting in his capacity as a Rajya Sabha member.

Ajit Pawar, slated to chair the meeting as the district's guardian minister, saw Sharad rise to his feet like other participants. Sule later remarked at a party rally in Pimpri Chinchwad that Sharad's adherence to protocol should inspire political workers.

Ajit led a rebellion against his uncle last year by splitting the NCP and aligning with the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra. Sule stated that during the DPDC meeting, Sharad requested information on the tehsil-wise distribution of development funds, to which the collector agreed to provide.

However, Ajit cited a Government Resolution restricting MPs and MLAs from asking questions or voting during these meetings, claiming they are only invitees. Sule argued that the ruling party seeks to stifle dissent and alter the Constitution, pointing to an incident where a BJP MP claimed the Constitution would change if the party secured over 400 Lok Sabha seats.

(With inputs from agencies.)