NCP Chief Sharad Pawar Meets Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde In Mumbai

Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Thursday met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the latter's official residence, Varsha Bungalow, in Mumbai. 

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar Meets Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde In Mumbai

Source : ANI

New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar on Thursday met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the latter's official residence, Varsha Bungalow, in Mumbai. 

While the details of the meeting are yet to come, Pawar's visit to Varsha assumes significance as this is the first meeting between the two leaders since the transfer of power in Maharashtra.

NCP President Sharad Pawar meets Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde in Mumbai

(Photo source: CMO) pic.twitter.com/VstDuS30J3

— ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2023

Shinde took to Twitter to share the news and posted videos of the meeting. He wrote, "Today, the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party, Shri @PawarSpeaks, visited the rainy or governmental residence and extended his warm wishes."

राष्ट्रवादी काँग्रेस पक्षाचे राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष आणि खासदार @PawarSpeaks साहेब यांनी आज वर्षा या शासकीय निवासस्थानी उपस्थित राहून सदिच्छा भेट घेतली. pic.twitter.com/m1btHd8n5q

— Eknath Shinde - एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) June 1, 2023

Though Pawar's NCP is an alliance with Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena and Congress, this meeting may spark speculation of a possible rift in the MVA alliance.

Earlier, Pawar had announced that he would step down as the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief but after a few days, the octogenarian leader took back his decision after supporters staged protests demanding Pawar to withdraw his resignation. 

While announcing his comeback to the party fold in the highest position, the veteran leader said he will focus on making organisational changes and will work with "renewed vigour".

"I can't disrespect your sentiments. Due to your love, I am respecting the demand that was made to me to withdraw my resignation and the resolution that was passed by senior NCP leaders. I withdraw my decision to step down as the national president of NCP," Pawar had said.

 Pawar founded the political party in 1999 and had remained at the top post since then. 

The move came at a time when Pawar was seen as a pole to tie opposition parties of different hues, interests, and ideologies, ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.