Praful Patel calls on Sharad Pawar at hospital; meet triggers speculation in Maharashtra

NCP Working President and MP Praful Patel interacts with party supremo Sharad Pawar during a visit to Breach Candy Hospital, to inquire about the latter's health, in Mumbai, Maharashtra

A viral video showing NCP SP leader Sharad Pawar discussing with NCP leader Praful Patel about a meeting after November 10 has led to political speculation in Maharashtra. Mr. Sharad Pawar is currently undergoing treatment at a Mumbai hospital and is likely to be discharged on November 7. The meeting comes amid a growing rift within the NCP.

Sources told The Hindu that Mr. Patel reportedly apprised Mr. Sharad Pawar of the internal differences within the NCP and the recent developments, including a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the two core committee meetings and the discussions therein.

Mr. Patel said it was a courtesy call to enquire about the health of Mr. Sharad Pawar. “We discussed about several issues, including the political situation in the country and in the State,” he told reporters after the visit.

Meanwhile, NCP State president Sunil Tatkare did a complete U-turn from his previous position and told reporters on Friday that both the NCPs would have been reunited now had Ajit Pawar been alive. “The discussion about reunification was going on when Dada was alive. He had told me about it. But now, the conditions are different. There is no such discussion anymore,” he said. He had earlier said that after Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise that he was not aware of any merger discussion.

On Friday, several political leaders and industrialists paid a visit to Mr. Sharad Pawar at the Mumbai hospital where he is admitted. Industrialist Gautam Adani met him at the hospital on Friday. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, former Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Chhagan Bhujbal were among those who met him. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray called to enquire about his health.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called Mr. Sharad Pawar on November 4, advising him to take rest. “He told him that Supriya is now ready to lead. And that they will take care of the country,” Vitthal Maniar, Sharad Pawar’s close associate, told reporters in Pune.

After the speculation about the meeting, Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders said Mr. Sharad Pawar would continue to stay with the INDIA bloc. Congress leader Vijay Waddettiwar said they would be happy if the family and the parties reunited, but that Mr. Sharad Pawar would not support the NDA. Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said Mr. Sharad Pawar had led progressive politics in the country, and would continue to do so. “He will stay with us,” Mr. Raut said.

NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar claimed the merger speculation was being planted by disgruntled elements within the NCP to further their vested interests. He denied any such possibility.

NCP SP leaders said there was nothing unusual about the calls or meetings. “Whenever Saaheb has been hospitalised, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always called to enquire about his health. Praful Patel and Saaheb are together on the bodies of several organisations. Many leaders respect Saaheb. Gautam Adani visits him whenever he is hospitalised in Mumbai,” a party leader said.

Meanwhile, NCP sources told The Hindu that a section of the party’s leadership wanted the merger to happen. “But there is no formal proposal about it. So, there is no discussion about the terms and conditions,” a party leader said on condition of anonymity.

“Also a key question here is, who will accept whose leadership. Will Supriya tai [Sule] accept Sunetra vahini’s [Pawar] leadership? Or will Sunetra vahini accept Supriya Tai’s leadership? This has to be resolved before going forward. Is the current NCP ready for anything even close to it?” a senior NCP leader asked. Another leader said the terms and conditions for the merger were known only to Ajit Pawar, when the talks were going on.

Meanwhile, a senior leader of Mahayuti said there was a possibility that these speculations were being spread to disturb NCP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. “She is already upset due to the internal differences. These speculations will only disturb her further,” a leader said.

Nationalist Congress Party / Maharashtra / politics