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Sunetra Pawar lost the Lok Sabha election against Supriya Sule, her sister-in-law and daughter of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, by over 1.5 lakh votes in the Baramati constituency. She has now filed her nomination for the Rajya Sabha by-elections scheduled for June 25.
Party Decision
Unanimous Decision: Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal stated that the NCP’s core group unanimously decided to nominate Sunetra Pawar for the Rajya Sabha seat.
Bhujbal’s Statement: Although several members, including Bhujbal, were interested in the seat, the decision was made in favor of Sunetra Pawar to strengthen the party.
Support from NCP Pune Unit
Resolution: The Pune unit of the NCP passed a resolution advocating for Sunetra Pawar’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha and a ministerial position in the Union government.
Deepak Mankar, chief of the NCP Pune unit, wrote a letter to Ajit Pawar detailing these demands, emphasizing the need for Sunetra Pawar to bolster the party’s influence and leadership.
The NCP had recently declined an offer for a Minister of State with independent charge in the Narendra Modi government, reiterating the demand for a cabinet position for their Rajya Sabha MP, Praful Patel.
Party Split: The NCP experienced a split in July last year when Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government. The faction led by Ajit Pawar retained the party name and symbol, while Sharad Pawar now heads the NCP(SP).
Sunetra Pawar’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha is seen as a strategic move by the NCP to consolidate its leadership and strengthen its political influence. This development also underscores the ongoing internal dynamics and strategic decisions within the party as it navigates its future direction amidst the recent split.
