MUMBAI: The decision to appoint Sunetra Pawar as deputy chief minister within days of her husband’s passing is seen as a pre-emptive move aimed at scotching speculation around the NCP’s leadership and the likely contenders to the post. The decision was taken by senior NCP netas and conveyed to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who has endorsed it.Also read: Sunetra Pawar set to take oath as Maharashtra deputy CM todayPolitical observers said the NCP and BJP are keen on a swift appointment to contain any political fallout arising from Ajit Pawar’s absence and before the process of the merger of the two NCP factions begins when the party may have to contend with demands by the Sharad Pawar faction. The merger has been on the cards and talks have gathered momentum after the two factions joined hands to contest elections to some local bodies.
After Ajit Pawar’s death, some NCP leaders have come out openly advocating a merger under the guidance of Sharad Pawar. But this has not been welcomed by all sides, sources said. Some fear an attempt by the senior Pawar to assume control or demands from his camp for a stake in govt. The BJP too wants less political friction ahead of the state budget session. For now, Sunetra Pawar, who is a Rajya Sabha MP, could be elected NCP’s legislature party leader and then deputy CM, but she may remain without a portfolio till the cabinet is reshuffled. She will have a six-month window from the day she is sworn in to get elected to the state legislature. However, it is likely that the finance portfolio which was held by Ajit Pawar may stay with Fadnavis who will present this year’s budget.“There is a bid to hasten the process and fill up the deputy CM and NCP legislature party leaders posts as soon as possible. It seems that this is being done before any talk of the imminent merger of the two NCP factions. Because if the merger happens and these posts remain vacant, then new netas from NCP (SP) will also be in the fray and control could slip away. For now, the NCP top brass wants to secure its position before chinks appear in their armour and MLAs become restless,” a source said.However, the BJP central leadership will have a key role to play in endorsing these appointments. “Any decision will only happen with their consent,” the observer said.
