In what seems like a strategic political move, NCP-SP President Sharad Pawar has extended an invitation to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and both Deputy Chief Ministers, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, for dinner at his residence in Baramati, Pune, on Saturday.
The trio is scheduled to visit Baramati for the NaMo Rojgar Fair, an event aimed at providing employment opportunities to thousands of unemployed individuals ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Interestingly, Sharad Pawar himself has not been included in the guest list for the event, which is being held in his stronghold and at a prestigious institution founded and led by him, the Vidya Pratishthan. However, his daughter and NCP-SP Working President and MP Supriya Sule, along with two other MPs, Vandana Chavan and Dr. Amol Kolhe, and other prominent leaders from various parties, have been invited.
This event marks the first major gathering to be attended by the Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers since the NCP experienced a split in July 2023.
It remains uncertain whether Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar will accept Sharad Pawar's dinner invitation, which has already caused some embarrassment for the ruling MahaYuti regime.
Speaking to the media, Supriya Sule expressed regret over her father's omission from the invitation list, despite his leadership of the institution hosting the mega-event.
Another member of the Pawar family, MLA Rohit R. Pawar, criticized the government for disregarding protocols and failing to invite Sharad Pawar to the official event.
NCP-SP National General Secretary, Dr. Jitendra Awhad, expressed disappointment with the situation, particularly given that the event is being organized in the hometown of a nationally esteemed leader like Sharad Pawar.
The party's National Spokesperson, Clyde Crasto, attributed the government's actions to a narrow-minded approach and "insecurity" in the presence of a respected national figure and seasoned political leader like Sharad Pawar.
Sharad Pawar, who established the Vidya Pratishthan in 1972, currently serves as its President, with committee members including his grand-nephew Yugendra S. Pawar, Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar, and his wife Sunetra A. Pawar, among others.
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