After abruptly cancelling a public engagement in Pune, Ajit Pawar, the state’s leader of opposition, has sparked widespread speculation about his political intentions. This event came at the same time as two prominent BJP members from the state visiting Delhi, stoking speculation that Ajit may align himself with the party. The Shiv Sena has, however, once more ruled out the likelihood of a split within the allied NCP.
Since Ajit Pawar appeared on stage with prominent MVA leaders at the Maha Vikas Aghadi rally in Nagpur on Sunday, Sanjay Raut, the chief spokesperson for the Uddhav Sena, expressed confidence that Pawar would not align himself with the BJP. Sharad Pawar, the leader of the NCP, also denied that his group may collaborate with the BJP.
When the Enforcement Directorate surprisingly left Ajit Pawar and his wife off of the chargesheet in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scandal, rumours about him began to circulate. Additionally, the Sena-BJP administration, particularly Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has come under fire for his perceived softness.
Ajit Pawar, however, shot down rumours that he had defected, claiming that he had cancelled his public appearances in Pune on Monday as a result of the Navi Mumbai heat disaster, which claimed the lives of more than ten people.
NCP MP Supriya Sule asserted that she did not partake in idle rumours and denied knowing about Ajit’s intentions to defect. Others, however, cited Pawar Sr.’s cryptic response, in which he said that while NCP leaders were opposed to the defection, they were under pressure owing to the threat of proceedings being brought against them by central authorities.
The situation is still shaky, and rumours about Ajit Pawar’s intentions continue despite the lack of concrete information. The state government might be significantly impacted if he allied himself with the BJP, but as of right now, all parties have ruled out that possibility.