Maharashtra minister Narhari Zirwal on Thursday said that people want Sunetra to become a part of the state ministry. Pawar's NCP is a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena
Sunetra Pawar (left) pays last respects to the mortal remains of her husband Ajit, at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, in Baramati on Thursday. PIC/PTI
A day after the tragic demise of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar, senior party leaders indicated that his wife Sunetra could be inducted into the Maharashtra Cabinet.
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal on Thursday said that people want Sunetra to become a part of the state ministry, news agency PTI reported.
Pawar's NCP is a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state along with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Considering that Sunetra is currently a Rajya Sabha member, she could be sworn in as the minister.
When asked about the NCP's future after Pawar's death, Zirwal said that people want "vahini (sister-in-law, referring to Sunetra Pawar)" to be included in the ministry, PTI reported.
Zirwal, a close confidant of the late deputy chief minister, told the media, ‘We will discuss the matter with party leadership and take a decision.
Responding to a question on the merger of the two NCP groups, Zirwal said, ''The two factions are already together. Everyone has realised that there is no point in remaining scattered and that they have to be together.''
Ajit Pawar death: Maharashtra Deputy CM cremated with full state honours
On Wednesday, Pawar and four others were killed when the chartered plane they boarded from Mumbai crashed at Baramati in Pune district.
Pawar's last rites were performed with full state honours on Thursday at Baramati.
Union Ministers Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari attended the funeral at the Vidya Pratishthan ground, around 100 km from Pune. Several senior leaders, cutting across party lines, were also present to pay their final respects to the 66-year-old NCP chief and deputy CM.
CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde were also present, along with Sunetra and her sons, Parth and Jay. Pawar’s cousin and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) lawmaker Supriya Sule, as well as NCP working president Praful Patel, too, attended the last rites.
As Ajit Pawar’s mortal remains, draped in the national flag, were brought from his Katewadi village to the funeral venue, thousands of supporters gathered, raising slogans of ‘Ajit Dada amar rahe (May Ajit Dada remain immortal)'.
In July 2023, Pawar had joined the then Eknath Shinde-led state government, triggering a split in the NCP founded by his uncle Sharad.
(With inputs from PTI)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
