'May His Wishes Come True': Supriya Sule On Ajit Pawar's Googly

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar's stunning announcement that he wants to step down as Leader Of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly and would like "any party post" drew a response today from the party leadership. 

Mr Pawar's cousin Supriya Sule, who was recently appointed a working president of the NCP, said a decision would be taken by the party. She added, however, that - as a sister - she wants all her brother's wishes to come true. 

The statement by Mr Pawar, made at a public function yesterday in the presence of his uncle and party chief Sharad Pawar, is being seen in party circles as a push for the post of NCP president in Maharashtra, the state where the party is strongest.

Party sources said Ajit Pawar, who made a failed bid to align with the BJP in 2019 and was sworn-in as deputy chief minister in an early morning ceremony, is aiming for the post of state president to resurrect his dwindling stature in the party. 

While he has no party post, Ms Sule and party leader Praful Patel were elevated to working presidents on June 10. 

Aware that this leaves him little room to call the shots in the NCP and reduces his sway with party MLAs and workers ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha polls in 2024, Mr Pawar said yesterday that he's been told he does not act tough as the leader of the opposition and pressed for a role in the party instead.

"I was never interested in working as Leader of Opposition but accepted the role on demand of the party MLAs. Assign me any post in the party organisation and I will do complete justice to whatever responsibility I am entrusted with," he said at an NCP event in Mumbai.

Speaking to reporters today, Ms Sule said, "It is my wish that Ajit Dada's wish is fulfilled, it is an organisational decision whether to give Dada a chance in the organisation or not. I am very happy that Dada also wants to work in the organisation.. this has created enthusiasm among the cadres."

"My wish as a sister is that all my brother's wishes come true," Ms Sule added. 

The churn in the NCP comes a month after Sharad Pawar had resigned as party chief and then decided to take it back three days later as he "couldn't disrespect the feelings of the masses".