15 July,2023 09:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sharad Pawar. File Pic
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday met with incumbent and former office-bearers of the youth wing of the party.
NCP's working president Supriya Sule and party MLA Rohit Pawar were also present at the meeting held at the Y B Chavan Centre in south Mumbai.
NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said Sharad Pawar underlined his party's opposition to the BJP.
Supriya Sule urged the office-bearers to reach out to all sections of the society.
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Notably, Pawar had announced to rebuild the NCP after his nephew and senior party leader, Ajit Pawar, joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government recently along with eight MLAs.
The Sharad Pawar senior hit the road after Ajit Pawar's rebellion.
While Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy chief minister on July 2, eight leaders of NCP were sworn in as ministers.
On Friday, Ajit Pawar was given the crucial Finance portfolio while his camp managed to bag important ministries including Cooperation and Agriculture.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday claimed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena had urged the BJP leadership in Delhi to not give finance portfolio to NCP leader Ajit Pawar, but it did not relent, the PTI reported on Saturday.
Sanjay Raut also claimed the Shinde-led Sena was told that if it had issues with the NCP leader getting the finance ministry in the Maharashtra government, then it could swap the chief minister's post with him (Ajit Pawar).
Responding to Raut's claim, Pawar said this was an attempt to disturb the atmosphere unnecessarily.
They went to Delhi and they were not paid any heed. They were told to stay (in government) if they are willing. Delhi said if you have issues with Ajit Pawar keeping the finance department, then keep the department with you and swap the chief minister's post with him (Pawar). This is my information, Raut claimed while speaking to reporters, according to the PTI.
Sharad Pawar was allocated the key Finance and Planning ministry on Friday when portfolios were allocated to nine NCP MLAs who joined the Shinde-Fadnavis government on July 2. The finance portfolio was held by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
(with PTI inputs)
