Ajit Pawar may receive another jolt as Minister Walse Patil remains absent from State Cabinet meeting, to meet Sharad Pawar in Pune

Mumbai: NCP (AP) leader and State Minister Dilip Walse Patil stayed away from the State Cabinet’s meeting on Monday (September 30) and was purportedly planning to meet NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar.

Political activity has picked speed in the State. The State Cabinet continued its spate of decisions. Honorariums of kotwals and home guards have been increased.

However, a different discussion started after the State Cabinet decisions. NCP (AP) leader and State Minister Dilip Walse Patil was absent for the meeting. It was said that he would meet NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar in Pune. If that happens, it would be another big jolt for the NCP (AP).

This has surprised many political pundits and politicians as well. Walse Patil may cross over to the rival camp before the State Assembly elections. Sharad Pawar has started pushing many NCP (AP) MLAs to the wall. This has posed a big challenge in front of them.

The NCP was split vertically last year. Dilip Walse Patil accepted Ajit Pawar’s leadership and decided to join the State Cabinet. However, he is likely to join the NCP (SP). His absence from the State Cabinet triggered discussions on his possible decision to join the NCP (SP).

Sharad Pawar has dented the Ajit Pawar camp several times. He welcomed Minister Dharmarao Baba Atram’s daughter into the NCP (SP) fold, which means she might contest against her father in the State poll. He lured Madha MLA Babanrao Shinde’s nephew and posed a challenge to the MLA. In Kagal, he brought Samarjitsinh Ghatge into his fold and shocked Minister Hasan Mushrif. Another Minister Harshavardhan Patil is most likely to leave the BJP and is reportedly in touch with Sharad Pawar.

It remains to be seen if Walse Patil would join the NCP (SP).