Rohit Pawar’s Absence Fuels Speculation of Discord in Sharad Pawar Camp

Mumbai:Amidst rumours of internal rebellion in the NCP led by Sunetra Pawar, the other NCP faction is also facing murmurs of discord. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar skipped the meeting chaired by his granduncle and party chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday as he was reportedly upset over Sharad Pawar’s praise of Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel from the rival group.

NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar chaired a key party meet in Mumbai to discuss the political situation in the country and Maharashtra and formulate strategies to revive the party. However, Rohit was conspicuous by his absence as he was away in Pune for a meeting related to water supply.

According to sources, the reason behind Rohit’s displeasure was Sharad Pawar’s recent praise of Tatkare and Patel – senior leaders belonging to Sunetra Pawar’s faction of the NCP. Rohit has been consistently targeting these leaders accusing them of trying to split the NCP. Sharad Pawar praised both these leaders, describing them as capable politicians. He also remarked that it is now up to the current party leadership to determine how best to utilize their potential.

However, Rohit dismissed the rumours of any discord with his granduncle. “The reports being aired on some sections of the media about me being upset are baseless. We are workers functioning under the guidance of respected Pawar Saheb,” he said.

Rohit claimed that he did not attend the meeting due to his unplanned visit to the Irrigation Bhavan in Pune as the issue of water from the Janai-Shirsai project for farmers in the Kukadi region of his constituency (in Ahilyanagar district) and in Baramati (Pune district) had become critical.

“Had there not been pressure on the administration and had they honoured their promise to release the water, I could have attended the pre-scheduled meeting in Mumbai today instead of coming to the Irrigation Bhavan in Pune. One thing is certain — farmers and common people in the state are in great distress and there is an unequivocal need to take a strong position and hit the streets to fight for them,” he said.

There are reports of internal rebellion in the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP with Rohit Pawar claiming last week that 22 NCP MLAs were mentally prepared to leave the party and join the BJP under the leadership of Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare.

Rohit alleged that some MLAs were waiting for the right political timing as switching sides immediately would require resignations and fresh elections. However, Tatkare rejected the claims and accused Rohit Pawar of making irresponsible statements.