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NCP chief Sharad Pawar has declared his daughter Supriya Sule and former Union minister Praful Patel as working presidents of the party, marking a generational shift in the organisation. In an event in Delhi earlier in the day to mark the 24th anniversary of the founding of the NCP.
Pawar also appointed Sule, Baramati MP, as the chairperson of the party’s Central Election Authority and in-charge of Maharashtra, the only state where the NCP has a formidable electoral presence.
#WATCH | NCP chief Sharad Pawar speaks on the appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as working presidents of the party, in Delhi pic.twitter.com/i8xJzg3ob8
— ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2023
Talking to reporters here, Ajit Pawar said, “Some media channels ran stories that Ajit Pawar did not get any responsibility, I would like to tell them that I have the responsibility of leader of opposition in Maharashtra.” Asserting that he was active in state politics by choice, the former state deputy chief minister said, “For the past several years, Supriya is in Delhi. I am active in state politics. I have responsibility of the state since I am the leader of opposition.”
Incidentally, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, speaking in Delhi after the event, dismissed suggestions that the appointment of Sule has upset nephew Ajit Pawar.
“The suggestion was made by him (Ajit Pawar). So, where is the question of him being happy or unhappy,” Pawar told reporters.
They have been made the working Presidents so that the election work & Rajya Sabha & Lok Sabha work can be divided. They have been allotted more responsibilities on their shoulders because elections are near. This is for handling the 2024 Lok Sabha election work, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on NCP Chief Sharad Pawar’s daughter, NCP MP Supriya Sule & NCP leader Praful Patel declared NCP working presidents.
