(Image source from: Indiatoday.in)

A struggle for power has started within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), with plans to nominate Sunetra Pawar, the spouse of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, for the role of Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, according to sources. Sunetra Pawar currently serves as a member of the Rajya Sabha. On Thursday, Narhari Zirwal, a senior leader in the NCP and Maharashtra's FDA minister, informed the news agency PTI that the public supports bringing Sunetra Pawar into the state government. Sources indicate that high-ranking NCP members Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dhananjay Munde, and Sunil Tatkare have been meeting with Sunetra Pawar as part of internal discussions. It is expected that Sunetra Pawar will run for the position left open by Ajit Pawar, as noted by the sources. The plan will recommend having Sunetra Pawar as the deputy chief minister. NCP leaders are also anticipated to confer with Devendra Fadnavis regarding this proposal and future actions.

Additionally, sources mentioned that Praful Patel, who is the working president of the party, might guide the NCP through this period. Talks about a possible merger with NCP (SP) might occur later on. According to sources, Ajit Pawar had discussions with NCP (SP) about a merger since the municipal corporation elections. Ajit Pawar and four others on board the plane tragically lost their lives when it crashed just 200 meters from the tabletop airstrip. When asked about the merger between the two NCP factions, Zirwal stated, "The two groups are already united. Everyone has come to understand that remaining divided is not beneficial and that we must join forces. " Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state, which also includes the BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde.