Mumbai, Feb 16 (NationPress) NCP legislators convened on Monday and officially designated Sunetra Pawar, the spouse of the late former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, as the new national president, pledging their unwavering support in light of the tragic passing of her husband in a plane crash on January 28.

The party has slated a national executive meeting for February 26 in Mumbai, where her formal appointment is expected to be confirmed.

According to party insiders, Sunetra Pawar has resolved to embrace this significant role as national president to forge a new direction for the party, especially following the unexpected loss of her husband and predecessor.

During her inaugural meeting, which she chaired after being elected as the legislature party leader on January 31 and taking the oath as deputy chief minister, party legislators granted her unanimous authority to make decisions regarding a potential merger with the Sharad Pawar faction.

The NCP leadership has advised party MLAs to avoid discussing the merger publicly. The primary focus of the meeting was on party organization, the selection of the new president, and preparations for the upcoming budget session of the state legislature set to commence on February 23.

Sources within the NCP revealed that the meeting unfolded in a solemn atmosphere, with legislators expressing their commitment to support Sunetra Pawar in fortifying the party structure and continuing the legacy of the late Ajit Pawar.

Notable attendees included party working president Praful Patel, state unit chief Sunil Tatkare, and senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal, all of whom reminisced about Ajit Pawar’s pivotal role in the expansion of the NCP.

In a heartfelt address, Sunetra Pawar shared her experiences with her late husband and the events that led her to assume her current leadership roles.

“I have chosen to accept this new responsibility to keep the party united and strengthen its position,” she conveyed to her fellow legislators.

This meeting occurred shortly after a heated exchange between the two factions regarding the merger. NCP SP leaders asserted that Ajit Pawar had initiated discussions for a merger, a claim the NCP vehemently refuted.

Working president Praful Patel sought to minimize the ongoing debate surrounding the merger of the two NCP factions, while Sunil Tatkare asserted that the NCP is aligned with the BJP-led NDA and intends to maintain this relationship.

Following a setback from the Ajit Pawar faction, state NCP SP chief Shashikant Shinde announced last Saturday that, for them, the merger is effectively a closed chapter, especially in light of Ajit Pawar’s passing, who had initiated the discussions.