India News

NCP leaders’ meet with Sunetra Pawar triggers succession debate after Ajit Pawar’s death

A meeting between senior NCP leaders and Sunetra Pawar shortly after Ajit Pawar’s funeral has reignited debate over leadership succession and the future of the party.

Published

3 months ago

January 29, 2026

[email protected]

A meeting between senior Nationalist Congress Party leaders and Sunetra Pawar, the wife of late Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, has sparked intense speculation about the party’s future leadership, just hours after his funeral in Baramati.

Senior NCP leaders Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde met Sunetra Pawar on Thursday. While sources claimed the leaders urged her to consider taking up the deputy chief minister’s post, Bhujbal publicly dismissed such claims, stating that it was merely a courtesy visit and that no political discussion took place following Ajit Pawar’s death in the plane crash on Wednesday.

Adding to the political buzz, senior NCP leader and Maharashtra FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal said that people across the state want Sunetra Pawar to be part of the cabinet.

Sunetra Pawar is currently a member of the Rajya Sabha. With a bye-election due in the Baramati Assembly constituency — a seat Ajit Pawar represented continuously since 1991 — speculation has grown that a member of the Pawar family will be fielded. Political circles are discussing the possible candidature of Ajit Pawar’s sons, Parth Pawar or Jay Pawar.

However, for Sunetra Pawar to assume the post of deputy chief minister, she would need to secure a seat either in the legislative assembly or the legislative council.

Leadership vacuum concerns within NCP

Political analysts believe Ajit Pawar’s death has left a significant leadership vacuum within the NCP. Groomed over decades by Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar commanded authority and organisational control that few within the party can replicate.

According to analysts, leaders such as Sunil Tatkare and Praful Patel could attempt to position themselves at the helm of the party unless a reunification with the Sharad Pawar-led faction takes place — a development that could dramatically alter the political landscape.

The urgency within the NCP is also being linked to its recent electoral setbacks, particularly in the municipal corporation elections, where the party failed to gain control of key civic bodies such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Any prolonged uncertainty, analysts warn, could further weaken the party’s position.

Sharad Pawar faction hints at merger talks

Meanwhile, the Sharad Pawar-led faction of the NCP indicated that Ajit Pawar had spoken about resolving differences between the two groups.

The faction’s Maharashtra president said Ajit Pawar had suggested discussions on a possible merger after the completion of local body elections, including Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls scheduled for February 5.

He added that Ajit Pawar wanted both factions to come together and maintain family unity, describing him as an emotional leader who felt it was time to end internal divisions. Whether these efforts move forward now, he said, remains to be seen.

On the question of joining the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, the leader said it was too early to comment, noting that discussions on reconciliation would have to take precedence before any decision on alliances.

Up Next

Bihar announces up to Rs 2 lakh top-up for women under self-employment scheme

Don't Miss

Silver breaches Rs 4 lakh per kg on MCX, gold hits record Rs 1.8 lakh

India News

Turnout crosses 80% in Bengal and Tamil Nadu till 5 PM in key elections

Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu elections witness strong voter turnout, crossing 80% with largely peaceful polling.

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2026

[email protected]

Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with voters turning out in large numbers across key constituencies.

In West Bengal, voting is being held across 152 constituencies, with around 3.6 crore voters expected to participate in this phase. Security arrangements were tightened, and long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from early morning.

Turnout rises steadily through the day

Voter participation increased consistently as polling progressed. By afternoon, turnout had crossed the halfway mark in both states, indicating steady engagement.

As per latest updates till 5 PM, West Bengal recorded 89.92% turnout, while Tamil Nadu reported 82.24% voter participation.

Large electorate participates in phase 1

In West Bengal, nearly 3.6 crore eligible voters took part in the first phase across several districts, including Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri.

Tamil Nadu is witnessing a three-way contest between the DMK-led alliance, the AIADMK-BJP alliance, and actor Vijay’s entry into the political space.

Sporadic incidents reported

Polling has been largely peaceful, though isolated incidents were reported, including an attack on BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul’s car and a boycott reported in parts of Tamil Nadu.

Despite these disruptions, voting continued without major interruptions, and authorities maintained overall control.

High-stakes political contest

The elections are being closely watched as major political parties compete for power. West Bengal is witnessing a closely fought contest, while in Tamil Nadu, key regional rivals are battling for control of the state Assembly.

The outcome is expected to play an important role in shaping the political landscape of both states.

Education

UP Board result 2026 declared: Class 10 pass rate at 90.42%, class 12 at 80.38%

UP Board 2026 results are out with strong pass rates. Here’s how to check your score and key highlights.

Published

5 hours ago

April 23, 2026

[email protected]

The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad has declared the UP Board Class 10 and Class 12 results for 2026 on April 23 at 4 pm.

This year, more than 52 lakh students registered for the exams, including over 27 lakh candidates in Class 10 and nearly 25 lakh in Class 12. The examinations were conducted between February 18 and March 12 across around 8,000 centres in the state.

Pass percentage and performance trends

The overall performance remains strong:

Class 10 pass percentage: 90.42%
Class 12 pass percentage: 80.38%

Girls have once again outperformed boys in both classes, continuing the trend seen in previous years.

How to check UP Board result 2026

Students can access their results through official platforms by following these steps:

Visit the official website: upmsp.edu.in or upresults.nic.in
Click on the result link for Class 10 or Class 12
Enter roll number and required details
View and download the provisional marksheet

Alternatively, results are also available via DigiLocker and other digital platforms.

What students should do after results

Students are advised to:

Download and print the provisional marksheet immediately
Collect the original marksheet from their respective schools later
Apply for re-evaluation or compartment exams if required

India News

Voting underway in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as turnout crosses 50% by afternoon

Voter turnout crosses 50% in West Bengal phase 1 and Tamil Nadu as polling continues across key constituencies.

Published

9 hours ago

April 23, 2026

[email protected]

Voting is underway in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu as the 2026 assembly elections see active participation from voters across both states. In West Bengal, the first phase of polling is being held across 152 constituencies in 16 districts, marking the beginning of a multi-phase election process.

Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, is witnessing single-phase polling across all 234 assembly seats, making it a crucial electoral day for the state.

Polling began in the morning with voters arriving at booths early, and arrangements were in place to ensure smooth voting.

Turnout figures show steady participation

As voting progressed, turnout figures indicated moderate to strong participation in both states.

West Bengal recorded around 62.2% voter turnout by 1 pm
Tamil Nadu saw approximately 56.8% turnout by the same time

Earlier in the day, initial turnout trends showed gradual momentum as queues built up at polling stations.

High-stakes contest in both states

The elections are significant for major political parties in both regions.

In West Bengal, the contest remains largely between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party, with several key constituencies drawing attention. Around 3.6 crore voters are eligible to vote in this phase, highlighting the scale of the exercise.

Tamil Nadu’s election features a traditional contest between the DMK and AIADMK alliances, with the outcome expected to shape the state’s political direction.

Security and arrangements in place

Authorities have deployed security personnel and made logistical arrangements to ensure peaceful polling. Reports indicate that voting is largely proceeding smoothly, with monitoring systems in place across sensitive areas.

The election process in West Bengal will continue with the second phase scheduled for April 29, while Tamil Nadu will conclude voting in a single day.