Supriya Sule leads from front in welcoming all MLAs

Mumbai: After her father outwitted his opponents in forming the next government, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule on Wednesday was seen welcoming all MLAs, including those from the BJP, at the Vidhan Bhavan as they were arriving for the oath-taking ceremony.

A smiling Ms Sule arrived at the Vidhan Bhavan at around 7.30 am. After arriving, she enthusiastically waited for the arrival of the newly elected legislators from all parties and was in constant touch with the people who were accompanying them.

She warmly greeted almost all MLAs from the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which comprise of the Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP.

Her nephew, Rohit Pawar, elected from the Karjat-Jamkhed constituency, touched Ms Sule's feet when he entered the Vidhan Bhavan gate. Ms Sule, who is his paternal aunt, hugged him.

One of the most interesting moments of the day was captured when Ms Sule met her cousin Ajit Pawar. When Ajit Pawar entered the Vidhan Bhavan, Ms Sule gave him a warm hug, indicating that the recent bitterness had washed away. In fact, it also appeared as if there was never any bitterness at the first place.

On November 23, when Ajit Pawar was sworn-in as the deputy chief minister alongside BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, who was sworn-in as the chief minister, the Pawar family had expressed its unhappiness. Ms Sule had also posted a WhatsApp status, which read: “Party and family split”.

Only last night, Ajit Pawar met his uncle, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, at his Silver Oak residence, after which it is believed that the rebel leader chose to return to his party.

After greeting all legislators, Ms Sule sat in the Vidhan Bhavan's visitors' gallery to witness the oath-taking ceremony.