Mumbai : Shiv Sena (UBT) mouthpiece Saamana on Monday raised concerns over the "hasty" appointment of Sunetra Pawar as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra following the demise of her husband Ajit Pawar, and termed it a "second shock" allegedly orchestrated by Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.In an editorial, Saamana said that the State did not gain its first woman Deputy CM by "individual administrative merit", but rather by the political manoeuvres of the higher authorities, just days after the funeral of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. It added that the public has mixed reactions to the same.
"Maharashtra had not even recovered from the shock of Ajit Pawar's demise when Amit Shah and Devendra Fadnavis's political manoeuvres delivered a second shock. Before the ashes of Ajit Pawar's funeral pyre could even cool, Sunetra Ajit Pawar took the oath as Deputy Chief Minister. Public sentiment on this has been mixed. Some expressed that Maharashtra has gained its first female Deputy Chief Minister, but this post was not earned through individual administrative merit; thus, the question of who orchestrated this event remains before all of Maharashtra," the editorial read.
Quoting NCP (SP) Chief Sharad Pawar and MP Supriya Sule, who said they had no information about the decision, Samaana questioned Sunetra Pawar for not informing the family before taking the oath. Calling it a low in politics, Samaana attributed it to the BJP leadership.
"Sharad Pawar responded calmly, stating, "I have no information regarding Sunetra Pawar's swearing-in. Her party is independent, and after Ajit Pawar, people like Patel and Tatkare are handling the reins." Supriya Sule gave a similar reaction. This means Sunetra Pawar reached Mumbai with her two sons the very next day and headed to Raj Bhavan to take the oath without letting the family catch a whiff of it. In Ajit Pawar's own words, "Politics has currently become extremely low," and the architects of this politics are the current BJP leadership," Samaana accused.The editorial said that the swearing-in ceremony "does not fit within the framework of Hindutva", given that the ceremony was held during the mourning period in the Pawar family. Samaana questioned the haste in making the decision, despite the inevitable leadership vacuum in both the party and the state.
"Whether to make Sunetra Pawar the Deputy Chief Minister or something else is entirely her and her party's decision. The party belonged to Ajit Pawar, and it was under his leadership that the faction of MLAs joined the government. Therefore, questions about the party's future and leadership after his death were inevitable. Mushrif claimed that "leadership was handed to Sunetra Pawar in haste so that workers and MLAs wouldn't go astray after Ajit-dada." Even if Mushrif's point is accepted, one fact remains significant: the Nationalist Congress is in an alliance with the 'Sanatani' ideology-driven BJP, and holding such a ceremony while the house is in mourning (Sutak) does not fit within the framework of Hindutva," it noted.
Samaana presented an alternate perspective, which it claimed to be "the reality." It said that the death of NCP chief Ajit Pawar piqued ambitions among some to claim the position, especially Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. Samaana alleged that Sunetra Pawar was thus put in charge in order to "prevent the 'Pawar-Patil' party from becoming a 'Patel' party.""The reality is different. Instability arose in the party after Dada's death. With the guardian and protector gone, there was a sense of being orphaned. Consequently, the ambitions of some individuals surged, and a race for the Deputy Chief Minister's post began. There is a conflict between Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. To prevent the "Pawar-Patil" party from becoming a "Patel" party, some people rushed to place Sunetra Pawar on the sub-throne," the editorial stated.
The editorial further described the party as a boat, with CM Fadnavis controlling the engine and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar steering it, expressing uncertainty about the survival of "captain" Ajit Pawar's party."This does not mean Ajit Pawar's party will survive or function in the future. The captain of the boat has gone into the open sea, and everyone on board is trying to steer it in their own way. Will placing Sunetra Pawar in the boat help it escape the storm? The fact is, the engine of this boat belongs to Fadnavis, and the 'remote' for that engine is also with Fadnavis," said Samaana.
The editorial further said that the 2029 Assembly Elections will be "Sunetra Pawar's real test", alleging that before the elections, many MLAs from the Eknath Shinde and Pawar parties will migrate to the BJP. It said that amid the Patel and Tatkare's struggling to win elections, Shinde and Pawar factions will "only be able to maintain their existence through the mercy of Fadnavis.""It is important to understand the future of the Shinde and Ajit Pawar factions. While there is time for the next Lok Sabha elections, it is certain that the BJP will contest the 2029 Assembly elections "100 percent" on its own strength. Before that, many MLAs from the Shinde camp and Ajit Pawar's party will migrate to the BJP. That will be Sunetra Pawar's real test. When Patel and Tatkare struggle to win their own elections, how will they ensure the victory of other party candidates? Therefore, the parties of Shinde and Sunetra Pawar will only be able to maintain their existence through the mercy of Fadnavis," the editorial noted.
Samaana further underscored late Ajit Pawar's extensive portfolio, exceptional leadership skills, and independent standing, stating that Sunetra Pawar's handling of the Chief Ministership is yet to be seen."Sunetra Pawar's Deputy Chief Ministership should not remain a mere showpiece. If she can demonstrate leadership, hard work, extensive public contact, and a refusal to completely bow down to the BJP--much like Ajit Pawar--she might create an independent standing. The post of Deputy Chief Minister has no constitutional recognition, but the portfolios held are what matter. Ajit Pawar held crucial departments like Finance and Planning, which allowed for the open distribution of funds to MLAs and workers. He also spent heavily during elections and managed the various affairs of his followers. How Sunetra Pawar handles this remains to be seen," Samaana noted.
Criticising what it called " the agenda of Amit Shah and Fadnavis" -- to not allow the merger of the two Nationalist Congress Parties -- Samaana said that Sunetra Pawar will have to drive through the challenges and not become a "dumb doll.""As soon as a window is opened, toxic insects enter along with the air--Sunetra Pawar will experience this too. It is possible she will not become a "dumb doll" but work effectively. If she does, the difficulties for Patel, Tatkare, and Bhujbal will increase. Sunetra Pawar is not Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar had respect and affection for Sharad Pawar, which is why discussions and the process for merging the two Nationalist parties had begun. A final decision was to be made after the Zilla Parishad elections, but Ajit Pawar passed away before that. Patel and Tatkare do not want a merger. This is the 'agenda' of Amit Shah and Fadnavis," the editorial asserted.
Samaana concluded the editorial by congratulating the Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and raising questions about the political landscape in Maharashtra and the Pawar family amid rapidly shifting dynamics. "The passing of Ajit Pawar has increased the confusion in the Pawar family and state politics. Many people have a vested interest in ensuring this confusion remains unresolved. What happens next remains to be seen. Maharashtra has gained its first female Deputy Chief Minister--congratulations to her! As for the mourning period, it comes and goes. How can politics be stopped? Politics has truly become extremely low-level," the editorial noted.