Ajit Pawar's mother calls for reunion with Sharad Pawar amid growing speculation
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's mother has expressed her wish for the reunion of her son with his uncle, Sharad Pawar, amidst rising speculation about a possible reconciliation between the two leaders. Ashatai Pawar, speaking to the media in Pandharpur after offering prayers at the Vitthal-Rukmini temple, prayed for an end to the political rift within the Pawar family.
"I prayed that all the grievances within the Pawar family should end, and Ajit and Sharad Pawar come together again. I hope my prayers will be granted," Ashatai Pawar stated.
The renewed speculation about their potential reconciliation began after Ajit Pawar made an unscheduled visit to Sharad Pawar’s residence in Delhi on December 12 to wish him on his birthday. This visit came more than a month after the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which had left Sharad Pawar's faction of the NCP facing a major crisis.
Ajit Pawar’s faction managed to secure 41 seats in the Assembly elections, marking a dramatic recovery, while Sharad Pawar's faction won only 10 seats. Since the split in the NCP following Ajit Pawar's rebellion in 2023, political leaders within the party have called for a reunion, emphasising the respect for Sharad Pawar despite differing political alignments.
Praful Patel, adding to the growing calls for unity, expressed his admiration for Sharad Pawar, saying, “Sharad Pawar has always been like a father to us. Although we have taken a different political stand, we have always respected Sharad Pawar greatly. If the Pawar family reunites, we would be very happy… I consider myself a part of the Pawar family."
Maharashtra Minister Narhari Zirwal also voiced support for a potential reunion, stating that it would benefit the party and its workers. “We feel distressed (due to the split in the NCP), as we hold Sharad Pawar in great respect,” Zirwal said.
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If Bumrah is not fit then a score of around 200 also might not be enough: Gavaskar
Sydney, Jan 4: Batting great Sunil Gavaskar feels India will struggle to defend even 200 in case premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah is unable to bowl at full throttle on the third day of the fifth and final Test against Australia here on Sunday.
Bumrah had left the field for scans during the second day's post-lunch session after bowling just one over, having experienced some discomfort. However, he returned to the dressing room after undergoing precautionary scans for an unspecified niggle.
India pacer Prasidh Krishna said his skipper had suffered back spasm.
The medical team was monitoring him as India ended the day 145 runs in front with four second innings wickets left on a SCG track which is aiding the bowlers.
"Look, if India scores 40 more runs or they put 185 on the board then they have a great chance but it all depends on Jasprit Bumrah's fitness. If Jasprit Bumrah is fit then 145-150 might be enough. But if Bumrah is not fit then a score of around 200 also might not be enough," said Gavaskar on Star Sports on Saturday.
Gavaskar also said maintaining secrecy around Bumrah's status is not going to help the Australians, who have so far struggled to counter the threat posed by the Indian pace spearhead.
"One thing that I liked was when he came back after the scan, obviously it took a lot of time because the hospital is a bit far, but he looked in good shape and his body language was such that there was no indication of the Australian team and it is very important to maintain the secrecy.
"Because, tactically you do not want to announce whether Bumrah will be available for bowling or not, and even if he is not available and this news goes across the opposition dressing room because till now Australian batsmen haven't found out a way to counter him, they don’t know whether they should attack, defend, or whether they should play on front-foot.
"So to execute this plan it is important to maintain secrecy, so Bumrah and the Indian team management managed it quite well," Gavaskar said.
The pacer has already taken 32 wickets in the series, and had figures of 2/33 in 10 overs before leaving the field, having removed Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session and Usman Khawaja on the last ball of the first evening.
