Anurag Kumar
Saturday, Sharad Pawar named Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the NCP’s working presidents. Pawar made the declaration on the 25th anniversary of the party he and PA Sangma founded in 1999.
The announcement was made in the presence of Ajit Pawar, the nephew of Sharad Pawar and an important NCP player.
Pawar had last month proposed to resign from his position as party president, prompting vehement protests from party members and other political leaders.
On 5 May, an NCP panel convened to consider Pawar’s resignation proposal rejected his resignation and implored him to continue as party president.
Why Supriya Sule?
In recent years, Supriya Sule’s rise in the party has been interpreted as her father preparing her for important responsibilities. As a member of the party’s leadership, she participates in key decisions.
She maintains a hectic travel schedule across multiple districts in brief intervals and attends all events. She criticizes both the central administration and the state government led by Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis.
Last month, when Pawar offered to resign from the party presidency, Sule was the picture of composure amidst a sea of emotions expressed by party leaders who urged the NCP leader to reconsider his decision.
Sule was introduced to active politics with her September 2006 election to the Rajya Sabha. Later in 2009, she assumed representation of the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, previously held by Pawar. She has also established Rashtravadi Yuvati Congress, a branch of young women, to communicate with the youth and establish a network throughout the state.
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Pawar has groomed a large number of youthful leaders, including his daughter, Ajit Pawar, and state NCP chief Jayant Patil, who are now the party’s top officials. However, it is unclear who will undertake the role of leader.
