Sunetra and Ajit Pawar (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Friday said there is “no opposition” to Sunetra Pawar succeeding her late husband, Ajit Pawar, as the leader of the NCP legislature party.Also Read | NCP in Catch-22: Ajit Pawar’s ‘last wish’ and Mahayuti alliance; calls for Sunetra to step inHe added that of the three posts held by Ajit Pawar at the time of his untimely death, the priority was to fill two — Maharashtra deputy chief minister and leader of the NCP legislature party. The third post — that of party chief — is “not an issue at present,” he stated.

“There is no question of opposing Sunetra Pawar’s name as the leader of the NCP legislature party. The sentiments of the people and the party are aligned. We have to speak to the family and seek their approval,” Patel, a close aide of the deceased Maratha leader, told reporters in Mumbai.Also Read | Ajit Pawar’s sudden death leaves leadership vacuum – what is next for NCPSunetra Pawar made her electoral debut in the Lok Sabha elections last year but was defeated by her sister-in-law, Ajit’s cousin Supriya Sule, from the family stronghold of Baramati. She is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. Although not a member of either House of the Maharashtra assembly, she could potentially be fielded from her husband’s now-vacant assembly constituency, also called Baramati.Meanwhile, Patel, the NCP’s working president and a former Union minister, described the late leader as an “important” constituent of the state’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, which comprises the BJP, Shiv Sena and the NCP.Also Read | NCP seniors want Ajit’s wife Sunetra as deputy CM; calls in Baramati for either son to fight bypoll“We met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to apprise him that we are in the process of finalising our party’s leadership transition. Ajit Pawar was an important functionary of the Mahayuti,” he said.Ajit Pawar was among five people on board a private aircraft that crashed while making an emergency landing in Baramati on Wednesday. His personal security officer, the two pilots, and a flight attendant also lost their lives in the mishap. In 2023, he split from the NCP, founded by his uncle, veteran politician Sharad Pawar, and joined the Mahayuti. His faction is recognised by the Election Commission as the “real” NCP.In recent days, there had been speculation about the two groups merging to once again form a single outfit.Also Read | ‘Both factions will come together’: After Ajit Pawar’s death, Eknath Khadse hints at NCP reunion‘Inhuman to discuss leadership issue so soon after Ajit Pawar’s death’: Sanjay RautMeanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said it was “inhuman” to discuss Ajit Pawar’s successor so soon after his death.“It is inhuman to talk about this leadership issue. If anyone has raised it, then they have zero humanity — be it ministers or MLAs. A woman has lost her husband. Her eyes are still welling,” Raut told reporters.Also Read | Ajit Pawar death: Pune district bereft of strong guardian minister; no replacement in sightTalks of a possible merger between the two NCP factions have gained momentum following Ajit Pawar’s death. The Sharad Pawar faction, known as the NCP (SP), is part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, which also includes the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT).The Shiv Sena (UBT) itself suffered a split in June 2022, when Eknath Shinde broke away from the then-undivided Shiv Sena and joined hands with the BJP. As with the NCP, the Shinde faction is recognised as the “real” Shiv Sena.(With PTI inputs)