In an unexpected turn of events, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has thrown light on the intriguing "secret" meeting that took place between Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in Pune over the weekend. Raut, known for his candid statements, downplayed the significance of the meeting, suggesting that the seasoned political stalwart might have orchestrated a subtle maneuver to orchestrate the opposition's grand assembly on August 31 and September 1, aptly named INDIA.
Sources reveal that the meeting between the NCP president and the deputy CM occurred discreetly at the residence of a Pune-based businessman in the Koregaon Park area. Visuals aired by regional news channels captured Sharad Pawar's arrival around 1 pm, and his departure at approximately 5 pm. In a carefully orchestrated sequence, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was seen leaving the premises at 6:45 pm, making a calculated effort to evade the watchful lenses of the cameras, as reported by PTI.
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The political landscape in Maharashtra witnessed a seismic shift when Ajit Pawar, along with eight MLAs, aligned with the Eknath Shinde government, which notably includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This move, executed on July 2, resulted in a vertical fracture within the NCP.
Sanjay Raut didn't shy away from expressing his sentiments about the current state of affairs, asserting, "Discontentment seems to permeate even within the Shinde government. It's evident that both deputy CMs, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, harbor dissatisfaction." Drawing a unique analogy, Raut quipped, "If Nawaz Sharif and Narendra Modi can bridge gaps, why not the Pawars? Beyond the jest, Sharad Pawar's intentions are anticipated to crystallize soon. He may have imparted to Ajit Pawar a message akin to his past return to the Maha Vikas Aghadi fold, reminiscent of the 2019 early morning swearing-in with Fadnavis as CM. In the realm of politics, possibilities abound."
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Notably, Sanjay Raut delved into the historical annals, recalling the shifts in alliances. "It was the BJP that severed ties with Shiv Sena in 2014 and 2019," he reminisced. "Even after the alliance renewal discussions with Uddhav Thackeray, Devendra Fadnavis' commitment to a 50:50 power-sharing arrangement upon the Sena-BJP alliance's return to power post the 2019 Assembly polls seemed hollow when the BJP veered off its path," Raut asserted.
Discussing the political trajectory of Eknath Shinde, Raut shed light on alternate scenarios. "Back in 2019, the BJP hesitated to appoint Eknath Shinde as CM. However, circumstances evolved, and he eventually assumed the role post the Shiv Sena split in June the following year," Raut elucidated.
The conversation took an unexpected turn as Raut ventured into the realm of future political dynamics, suggesting an intriguing possibility. "Picture this – if Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra contests from Varanasi in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls, it might prove challenging for PM Narendra Modi to relinquish his hold on the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency," Raut opined confidently. He added, "I hold the belief that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will emerge victorious."
In a resolute tone, Raut made a proclamation regarding the forthcoming political landscape. "The entirety of the nation will rally behind Rahul Gandhi in 2024," he declared with conviction. He predicted, "Change is imminent in key constituencies like Amethi, currently held by Union Minister Smriti Irani; Varanasi, the stronghold of PM Modi; and Rae Bareli, the domain of Sonia Gandhi."
