Sharad Pawar ‘Peeks’ Into Ajit Pawar, Jayant Patil’s Closed-Door Meeting Amid Political Buzz: Report
NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Jayant Patil met in a closed-door session, sparking speculations about Patil's future in the NCP-SP.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday observed a closed-door meeting between Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil at the Pune-based Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI), triggering speculations and sharp political reactions.
According to The Times of India, the meeting lasted for 30 minutes while Sharad Pawar was present on the premises. At one point, he and senior NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil briefly peeped inside the room where the two were conversing before walking ahead, TOI reported sources as informing.
Speaking to reporters later, Ajit Pawar downplayed the meeting, stating that discussions were centred on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture. “I had proposed an allocation of ₹500 crore for AI in agriculture in the recent state budget, and I am seeking opinions from all committee members. Jayant Patil met me at VSI to discuss the issue,” Ajit Pawar said, as quoted by The Times of India.
The meeting took place during a governing council meeting at VSI, a government-recognised research institute. Sharad Pawar, who is on the institute’s board of trustees, was also present at the venue, news agency PTI reported.
While NCP (SP) sources told The Times of India that the discussion was purely about agriculture as speculation regarding Patil’s political future intensified. “Even Ajit Pawar clarified that Patil met him to discuss agriculture issues and nothing else,” a party source was quoted as saying.
As Sanjay Raut Takes Dig At Ajit Pawar-Jayant Patil Meet, Supriya Sule Says Talks 'Not Political'
The meeting prompted sharp reactions from both the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut strongly criticised the talks, stating, “After we (undivided Shiv Sena) parted ways, we never met MLAs from the other faction or held closed-door meetings. They (NCP factions) have reasons to keep meeting each other; VSI is one such place,” PTI reported.
NCP MLA Amol Mitkari claimed that Patil was unhappy within NCP (SP). Meanwhile, NCP (SP) leader Amol Matale defended the meeting, asserting, “It was not a secret meeting. Instead of criticising others, please see what is going on in your own backyard,” in a dig at Raut, as per PTI.
Asked about the meeting, NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule dismissed its political significance. “VSI has members from all parties. Discussions focused on the sugar industry, farmers, and new technologies. This was an academic meeting, not a political one,” Sule told reporters.
Speculation about Jayant Patil switching to Ajit Pawar’s faction has been ongoing, though Patil has repeatedly denied such claims, The Times of India noted.
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