Speaking to reporters, Sule said she had no information about any such meeting between Patil and Tawde and claimed that she learned about the reports only through media personnel. She added that she regularly meets Tawde as part of parliamentary responsibilities.
When asked whether Sharad Pawar had any plans to support or join the National Democratic Alliance, Sule said she had been hearing similar discussions for the past 12 years. She reiterated that she had no knowledge of any meeting between Patil and Tawde.
Sule said she and Tawde have met several times because both are members of a Joint Parliamentary Committee. She stated that they had met at least 21 times in the past one month and added that she found the ongoing speculation amusing.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) legislator Rohit Pawar also rejected the allegations, saying that no such discussions had taken place with any leader. He said that as an opposition party, they would continue raising issues concerning the public, farmers, students, and workers.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed that discussions were indeed taking place and said the decision would ultimately depend on the party leadership. He questioned whether the leaders wanted to follow an ideology or pursue political power. He asked whether they wanted to work towards the development of a progressive Maharashtra based on the principles of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, and Savitribai Phule, or whether they wanted to operate through money, wealth, and power.
According to sources, senior Sharad Pawar faction leader Jayant Patil met BJP Rajya Sabha Member Vinod Tawde on Friday. Tawde is considered close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting reportedly discussed the possible political benefits for the Nationalist Congress Party if Sharad Pawar’s party joins the BJP-led alliance.
Sources claimed that Sharad Pawar’s party has two possible options: becoming part of the National Democratic Alliance or extending support from outside. Discussions regarding joining the government were also reportedly held during the meeting.
Sources further stated that efforts to bring Sharad Pawar’s faction into the BJP-led alliance are being made at the central level and not by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
According to sources, if the Nationalist Congress Party led by Sharad Pawar joins the National Democratic Alliance, it may receive one Cabinet Minister position in the central government and three Cabinet Minister positions in the Maharashtra government.
Sources indicated that one of the Maharashtra portfolios could be the Finance Ministry, a highly significant department currently held by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar has already claimed the Finance portfolio, which was previously held by her late husband Ajit Pawar.
Political observers believe that the Finance Ministry may be reserved for Sharad Pawar faction leader Jayant Patil, which could be a reason why the department has not yet been assigned to Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar or any other leader.
The speculation over a possible political realignment involving Sharad Pawar’s faction has intensified discussions within Maharashtra politics, with leaders from different parties expressing contrasting views over the possibility of a shift in alliances.
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