By Rahil Nora Chopra
Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise has not only left a massive political vacuum in Maharashtra, but also mired the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (AP) in a state of complete uncertainty. As difficult questions do rounds over who will inherit the late dynamic leader’s mass base and organisational control, the NCP stands at a crossroads between fragmentation, realignment and reconciliation. After Ajit Pawar, there is no true second-in-command in the party. While Ajit Pawar’s now widowed wife, Sunetra Pawar, is a Rajya Sabha MP and active in Maharashtra politics, she lacks administrative experience. On the other hand, while the party’s working president Praful Patel and state NCP president Sunil Tatkare are likely contenders for taking up the leadership charge, they, however, lack the statewide grassroots connect that Ajit Pawar commanded. His sons – Parth Pawar and Jay Pawar – aren’t well equipped to claim his political legacy. Parth contested Lok Sabha elections from Maval constituency, but lost. Younger son Jay Pawar isn’t very active in politics. Both sons possess companies, run business and social enterprises. Now, after Ajit Pawar, who will take centre stage and keep the Pawar bastion intact? How will the NCP (AP) progress from now on, or will it be merged with the NCP (SP)? The response to these questions may alter the dynamics of Maharashtra’s politics like never before.
THAROOR MEETS WITH KHARGE, RAHUL; HINTS AT THAW AHEAD OF STATE POLLS
Amid reports of unease with the party leadership, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor held a long meeting with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, hinting at a possible thaw in relations. Both sides emphasised unity and coordination as the party gears up for the crucial Kerala Assembly elections. In a post on X, Tharoor said, “Thanks to @INCIndia President @kharge ji and LS LoP @RahulGandhi ji for a warm and constructive discussion today on a wide range of subjects. We are all on the same page as we move forward in the service of the people of India.” Responding to a question on whether the issue of a chief ministerial face for the Kerala Assembly polls had come up, Tharoor said that was never the issue. The meeting comes after Tharoor did not attend a crucial meeting of AICC with top leaders from Kerala in Delhi to firm up strategies for the Assembly polls. According to sources, during the meeting, Rahul Gandhi told Tharoor that he possess much importance and is required for the party and assured him that he will be taken into confidence and also his presence on all key decisions of the Congress in Kerala will be considered.
CPI(M)’S MD. SALIM MEETS HUMAYUN KABIR FOR POSSIBLE ALLIANCE, TMC IRKED
Ahead of West Bengal assembly elections, West Bengal CPI(M) secretary Mohammed Salim’s meeting with Janata Unnayan Party chief Humayun Kabir has sparked speculation about an alliance between the CPI(M) and the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), a new political outfit floated by the former TMC leader, after the ruling party suspended him for launching a campaign to build a Babri Mosque in Murshidabad. Salim, however, said that he had met Kabir only to know from him what he had been planning to do. On his part, Kabir described the meeting as just a courtesy meeting, but acknowledged that discussions touched upon a possible alliance for the Assembly elections. Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress lashed out at the CPI(M) and said that the Bengal CPM’s stature had been reduced, and was out with a “begging bowl for alliances”.
RAHUL FORTIFIES ALLIANCE WITH DMK’S KANIMOZHI AHEAD OF TAMIL NADU POLLS
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi and DMK leader Kanimozhi met at 10 Janpath to discuss the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, but no agreement could be reached on seat-sharing. While DMK has openly conveyed that it will not offer Congress a cabinet seat, it reaffirmed its commitment to continue the alliance. During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi is said to have categorically informed the DMK leadership via Kanimozhi that his party will not push for any strategy that would cause a strain in the alliance, including the talks about power-sharing. He is also said to have ruled out any options of choosing an alternate alliance, or even aligning with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), in the run-up to the election. According to sources, the Congress had demanded 42 seats but the DMK, however, only agreed to increase its offer from 25 to 30-32 seats. Though the strain in the alliance has been ironed out by Kanimozhi and Rahul Gandhi, all eyes are on how the numbers game that is yet to begin will affect the DMK-Congress alliance, going forward. (IPA Service)
