Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders have held talks as to successor of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, amidst talks about oath ceremony of Sunetra Pawar in the Maharashtra Cabinet. Interacting with mediapersons in city on Friday evening, Fadnavis said, he is awaiting communication from the NCP (Ajit Pawar) leaders as to their next legislature party leader. Once the NCP (AP) finalises its decision, the State Government and also, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would respect the same as they stand by their commitments made to their alliance partner, he added. However, Chief Minister refused to confirm whether Sunetra Pawar will be sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday. Earlier, the leaders of NCP (AP) held two rounds of talks with Chief Minister at Pune and later, at Mumbai and discussed the options available to the party.

 

Already, there were talks that two rival groups of NCP heading for a merger, but now in light of new development, the move, it seems, might be put on hold till further notice. During the meeting, the two sides discussed various alternatives and now, the NCP leaders are awaiting confirmation from Sunetra Pawar, the widow of Ajit Pawar. The Pawar family, meanwhile, faces an uphill task in deciding its next course of action, as even before the members could overcome the mourning, they face the crucial decision to decide fast on the power equation.