All Eyes On Ajit Pawar As Sunil Tatkare Appointed National Treasurer Of NCP

Nationalist Congress party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar has sprung one more surprise as part of his reshuffle of party top functionaries. NCP’s Raigad MP Sunil Tatkare has been appointed national treasurer. Various interpretations are coming forward since Tatkare is viewed as a staunch supporter of Pawar though considered close to Ajit Pawar as well. Nonetheless, the appointment of Tatkare is termed as a blow for Ajit, whose position within the party is becoming shaky by the day, his detractors whisper. On the other hand, keeping Ajit away from all top party posts is described as a masterstroke by Pawar’s loyalists. In a tricky situation, Ajit can build bridges with the BJP if the Congress or the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray decide to sideline the NCP in the coming elections, especially the Mumbai municipal contest. Already, some leaders of the two parties have started indicating that they will not accept the NCP as the main force in the Maha Vikas Aghadi that ruled the state for two and a half years. In the fluid situation, the reticence of the BJP is felt to be fraught with a hidden agenda since except for Devendra Fadnavis, none of the party leaders have reacted to the developments within the NCP. In stark contrast, Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut has not lost a single opportunity to needle Ajit Pawar, whose next move will decide the shape of things in Maharashtra.