NCP Leader Dattatray Bharne Expresses Desire for Sunetra Pawar to Become Maharashtra CM

MUMBAI: Amid ongoing speculation about a possible Union Cabinet expansion and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis likely moving to the Centre, fresh political statements have emerged in Maharashtra. State Agriculture Minister and senior NCP leader Dattatray Bharne has publicly expressed his wish to see Sunetra Pawar as the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

What Did Dattatray Bharne Say?

While discussing the possibility of Devendra Fadnavis shifting to Delhi, Bharne said, “Maharashtra is waiting to see a Marathi leader occupy the country’s top post. People feel that just as Yashwantrao Chavan and Sharad Pawar missed the opportunity, a leader from Maharashtra should become Prime Minister in 2029 or 2034.”When asked who should lead Maharashtra if Fadnavis moves to the Centre, Bharne replied that it was not appropriate for him to comment on other parties’ internal matters. However, he openly expressed his personal preference, saying, “I would be delighted if the president of my party occupies that chair. If Sunetra Pawar sits on that seat, I will be 100 percent happy — in fact, the first person to feel so.”