Who will succeed Sharad Pawar? NCP's appointment of dual working presidents raises speculation

A significant incident unfolded in the political landscape of Maharashtra this afternoon. Sharad Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), made a major announcement during the party's 25th foundation day celebration. Supriya Sule and Praful Patel were appointed as the working president of the Nationalist Congress Party, respectively. Furthermore, no responsibility has been relinquished by Ajit Pawar.

Through these decisions, Sharad Pawar has effectively communicated a political message to the ambitious Ajit Pawar. Today's announcement from Sharad Pawar also carries a distinct hint that Supriya Sule could have been the chosen successor of the Nationalist Congress Party. As a result, there is extensive speculation and discussion surrounding the true motives behind these announcements.

When questioned about the potential successor of Sharad Pawar, political analysts speculated that Ajit Pawar would be the frontrunner for the position. As the head of NCP in Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar's name often emerged as a prominent candidate for the chief ministerial role if the opportunity were to arise. However, Sharad Pawar has now shifted the entire focus onto Ajit Pawar, effectively sidelining him within the party. This move can be interpreted as a form of expulsion from the party for Ajit Pawar.

Despite expectations, Ajit Pawar expressed his lack of interest in assuming the role of a successor, while Sharad Pawar aimed to signal that Supriya Sule would be the future answer to this query. The appointment of two working presidents has triggered inquiries regarding the reasoning behind this decision.

The resolution to this question can be found in the recent events that unfolded on May 2. Sharad Pawar's sudden resignation on that day created significant upheaval within the party. Additionally, the concept of introducing a working president was brought forth. With elections merely a year away, the departure of Sharad Pawar from the party could have adverse consequences. Hence, the appointment of two working presidents was made as a precautionary measure.

The NCP is also characterized by the presence of two factions with divergent ideologies. This can be best understood by examining the events that transpired after the 2019 elections. During that time, a faction within the party expressed a desire to form a government in alliance with the BJP. However, Supriya Sule and certain other leaders believed that aligning with Congress and Shiv Sena was the more suitable course of action. It is based on this experience and division within the party that the decision to appoint two working presidents from each faction was made.

Alternatively, if Sharad Pawar had solely appointed Supriya Sule as the working president, it would have explicitly signalled her as his successor. However, Sharad Pawar believes that it is not yet time to openly declare such a succession plan. Drawing a parallel, Balasaheb Thackeray had designated Uddhav Thackeray as the working president, implying his future leadership. Nevertheless, Sharad Pawar does not wish to adopt a similar approach at present. Hence, the decision to appoint two working presidents within the NCP was made, ensuring a balanced and cautious approach to leadership succession.