File photo: Sharad Pawar (Picture credit: PTI)

NEW DELHI: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday said he had no information about reports suggesting that Rajya Sabha MP Sunetra Pawar is set to be sworn in as Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, asserting that any such decision must have been taken by her party leadership and that he was not consulted.Holding a press conference, Sharad Pawar said, “I have no information about it. Her party must have decided. What I saw in the newspaper today is that some names like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare have taken the initiative to make some decisions. I had no discussion on this. I am not even aware if it is happening.”

‘Family stands united, no issue’

When asked whether he, as a senior member of the Pawar family, was taken into confidence regarding Sunetra Pawar’s possible appointment as deputy chief minister, Sharad Pawar sought to downplay any suggestion of discord. “Family stands united if an issue occurs in the family. There are no issues in the family,” he said.His remarks come amid heightened political churn in Maharashtra following the death of NCP chief and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, with rapid developments triggering speculation about leadership changes, a possible merger of rival NCP factions, and the future course of alliances.

‘Decisions happening in Mumbai, not here’

Sharad Pawar made it clear that discussions on political and organisational decisions were taking place away from him. Responding to questions on the apparent haste in decision-making after Ajit Pawar’s death, he said, “All these discussions are not taking place here; they are happening in Mumbai. Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and other senior leaders are having these discussions. Whatever is being seen appears to be decisions taken by them. I will not comment on this.”