Mumbai, November 6: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel has said that despite political differences with NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, their personal and family relationship remains cordial. Patel stressed that there has never been any bitterness between them and that their relationship would continue irrespective of political developments.
Patel made the remarks after meeting Sharad Pawar at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital on Thursday night. He said he had visited the veteran politician to enquire about his health and described his condition as excellent.
“There were political differences, but there was never any bitterness,” Patel said. He added that he continued to meet Pawar from time to time and that their family ties would remain unchanged. The two leaders also discussed the prevailing political situation during the meeting.
According to Patel, Sharad Pawar was in good spirits and was smiling in his characteristic manner during the interaction.
The 85-year-old politician was admitted to the south Mumbai hospital on Wednesday, shortly after being discharged from Pune's Ruby Hall Clinic. He had been undergoing treatment at the Pune hospital since Monday.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of the 2023 split in the Nationalist Congress Party, founded by Sharad Pawar. A group of senior leaders, including Praful Patel, joined the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra under the leadership of the late Ajit Pawar. Following the split, the Election Commission recognised the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the original NCP, granting it the party name and election symbol. Sharad Pawar's faction subsequently came to be known as the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).
Patel's hospital visit has also drawn attention amid recent political developments within the NCP. Senior party leaders recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi without party president Sunetra Pawar and her sons, Parth and Jay. The meeting reportedly took place amid speculation over differences within the party leadership regarding Parth Pawar's growing influence.
Meanwhile, both the NCP and NCP (SP) have ruled out the possibility of a merger between the two factions. Sharad Pawar recently reiterated that his party would not merge with any other political outfit, although those willing to join his organisation would be welcome.
Patel's latest remarks underline the distinction between political disagreements and personal relationships, as Maharashtra's political equations continue to evolve.
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