Mumbai: Independent MLA Ravi Rana, who is supporting BJP, on Saturday claimed that Sharad Pawar may soon back the Narendra Modi-led party. Mr. Rana said that a major development could take place in the national politics during Diwali.
Mr. Rana said that Ajit Pawar is still hopeful that his uncle will also support the PM. “Ajit Pawar has supported the PM and he is still making efforts to convince Sharad Pawar. As per my information, senior Pawar is 99 per cent convinced and only a one more small push is required. Sharad Pawar is also impressed with the development works being done by Mr. Modi and he will soon back the PM,” he said.
The MLA further said that new equations are developing at the national level. If Mr. Pawar also joins the NDA, it will be a major boost for Mr. Modi’s re-election in 2024, he said.
“I had said this before Dussehra that there will be one more big development around Diwali. I am still confident about it. If there is a settlement between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, it will further strengthen the government in Maharashtra,” Mr. Rana said.
A meeting between Ajit and Sharad Pawar on Friday during a family function has led to speculations about another political realignment in Maharashtra.
State NCP minister Dharmaraobaba Atram claimed Ajit Pawar would become chief minister of the state soon. "I have been saying for a long time that Ajit Pawar will become chief minister. This will happen very soon," the state Food and Drug Administration minister said without elaborating.
Ajit Pawar and eight NCP MLAs, including Dharmaraobaba Atram, had joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2. The development led to a vertical split in the NCP with Sharad Pawar and his loyalists claiming that the Ajit faction has acted against the party's principals. However, the Maharashtra deputy chief minister is still hopeful that his uncle will soon accept his decision to join hands with the BJP.
