NCP’s festival card to attract voters

Mumbai: As the uncertainty in the state politics is looming large, the NCP led by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is making an effort to break down the barrier. He has extended an unexpected invitation to veteran politician Sharad Pawar for Maharashtra Day celebrations. This has raised many eyebrows in the political circle and all eyes are on Pawar Sr about his next move.  

Two years after the split in the party, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) extended an official invitation to veteran politician Sharad Pawar to attend a party function being organised on the occasion of Maharashtra Day on May 1. The NCP has organised ‘Gauravshali Maharashtra’ festival from May 1 to 4 to mark the 65 years of Maharashtra formation.

This move comes two years after their party split, potentially signaling a diplomatic reconciliation. The invitation includes recognizing Pawar's significant political contributions and includes a special pavilion honoring state Chief Ministers.

After the political split, Ajit Pawar took control of the party name and poll symbol, while Sharad Pawar, who is now in the opposition, is heading Nationalist Congress Party (SP). Both Ajit and Sharad Pawar have been seen together in the past two years only in various official meetings and family functions. Both have categorically kept political stands aside and refrained from making any comments, post assembly polls.

Party function

According to sources within the NCP-SP, “This is not a government programme. This is a party function. It is unlikely that after what has happened between Pawars, the veteran leader will share NCP’s stage. Despite the gesture, Sharad Pawar might be hesitant to share the stage with his nephew's faction.

When contacted, state NCP president Sunil Tatkare said, “We will be felicitating all the previous chief ministers of Maharashtra on May 3. We have spoken to Prithviraj Chavan of Congress. We have been told that Uddhav Thackeray is abroad, but we will extend an invitation to him as well. Our executive president Praful Patel will personally meet Sharad Pawar saheb to extend the invitation. We are expecting him at the event. Let’s see what happens”.

Tatkare said that after the formation of Maharashtra on May 1, 1960, various events and cultural programmes took place for five consecutive days. “We will be repeating it by holding celebrations from May 1 to 4,” he added further.

When asked about Sharad Pawar, Tatkare said his contribution to the state and country can never be neglected. “He is a national leader and four-time chief minister of Maharashtra. How can his contribution be neglected? We have extended the invitation and will take a final call on Thursday,” Tatkare pointed out.