Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had an awkward encounter with his uncle and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday when both had to share the stage for an event in Pune.
Both Pawars were in Pune for a meeting of Vasantdada Sugar Institute (VSI) formed by former minister and NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil who is currently with Ajit Pawar faction. Sharad Pawar heads VSI while Patil is the vice president.
Both were supposed to sit next to each other. However, Ajit Pawar asked for a change in the seating arrangement, after which Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil took his place. Ajit also got the nameplates changed. Though the Pawars had minimal interactions, both mentioned each other in their speech.
This was also not the first time that they refused to sit next to each other. Both attended the inaugural function of the 2025 Agriculture Festival but chose not to sit together.
However, Ajit Pawar issued a clarification on the issue, stating he was just respecting Babasaheb Patil. "Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil wanted to talk to Sharad Pawar. I can talk to Sharad Pawar anytime, so I made Babasaheb sit in the middle. I still could speak to both as our chairs were close. Babasaheb became the Cooperation Minister for the first time, so I gave him that respect," said Ajit Pawar.
Ajit Pawar's latest actions come amid speculations that the NCP factions might unite. Speculations were rife that Sharad Pawar himself may join the Mahayuti along with eight MPs and ten MLAs from the party.
BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also stated that the BJP had no objection to the Sharad-Ajit reunion. Bawankule's statement was considered significant since he is said to be close to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
However, both Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have not yet reacted to the reports about the reunion.