Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he was “happy for Sunetra Pawar” while responding to questions about the recent promotion of his nephew Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, in active politics. His remarks came amid ongoing political churn within the Pawar family and the broader NCP following its split last year.
Speaking to reporters, Sharad Pawar maintained a measured tone, stressing that Sunetra Pawar’s elevation was a personal milestone for her. “I am happy for Sunetra Pawar,” he said, while avoiding any detailed comment on the political implications of her promotion. The veteran leader refrained from linking her rise to the internal dynamics of the party or the family’s recent political realignments.
Sunetra Pawar, who has largely remained away from frontline politics in the past, was recently elevated to a key political position, marking her formal entry into a more prominent public role. Her promotion is seen as a significant development, especially as her husband Ajit Pawar currently serves as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and leads the NCP faction aligned with the BJP-led alliance.
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The development has drawn attention due to the visible split within the NCP, with Sharad Pawar heading the rival faction after the party’s vertical divide. Observers view Sunetra Pawar’s rise as part of Ajit Pawar’s efforts to consolidate his political base, even as relations between the two factions remain strained.
Despite the political backdrop, Sharad Pawar’s comments signaled an attempt to separate personal sentiments from political rivalry. By choosing his words carefully, the senior leader underscored that individual achievements need not always be viewed through a purely political lens.
The episode highlights the complex intersection of family ties and political competition in Maharashtra’s politics, where personal relationships often coexist with sharp ideological and strategic differences.
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