Sharad Pawar downplays meetings with nephew Ajit, says nothing wrong in discussing people's issues

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also expressed concerns over the prevailing water scarcity in the state and advised judicious use of water over the next couple of months. Pic/X

Stating that there was nothing wrong in talking to representatives of the state government over issues concerning common citizens, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar on Tuesday downplayed speculations about a political reunion with his estranged nephew and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Ajit Pawar. The speculations of a possible reunion between the two leaders had erupted following recent meetings between the duo - they have met thrice in a fortnight.

"We have been working to increase sugarcane production for several years. Working in silos is not possible, as the government's role is equally important. There is nothing wrong in talking to representatives of the state government on issues concerning the common people," he said while speaking to reporters in Baramati.

Pawar also expressed concerns over the prevailing water scarcity in the state and advised judicious use of water over the next couple of months, reported PTI.

On Monday, Pawar senior and the Maharashtra Deputy CM, who heads NCP, shared the stage on Monday to discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture and the sugar industry in Pune, following which political circles are abuzz with rapprochement speculations.

When asked on the talks of a patch-up between cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, Pawar said that it was a family matter and he had no information about it.

The NCP (SP) chief, along with Ajit Pawar's wife and Rajya Sabha lawmaker Sunetra Pawar and grandnephew Yugendra Pawar, attended a meeting at Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institute in Baramati.

Yugendra was seen touching Sunetra Pawar's feet to seek her blessings as it was his birthday.

When asked about his gesture, Yugendra said, "Despite political differences, my affection and respect for my uncle [Ajit Pawar] and aunt remains unchanged."

Relations between Sharad and Ajit Pawar strained after the latter engineered a split in NCP in July 2023 and joined the Mahayuti government. Several legislatiors of NCP joined the Ajit Pawar camp, leaving Pawar senior to battle the biggest political crisis of his life.

In the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly Elections, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP bagged 41 of the 57 seats it contested, decimating the NCP (SP) faction's tally to 10.

(With PTI inputs)