Is an aggressive Supriya eyeing top post in the NCP

The sudden aggressive posture of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule suggests that she has started taking a keen interest in state politics. However, the unexpected move may unsettle her cousin Ajit Pawar, who has been leading the party in the state so far.

So far the NCP had followed a strategy that Ms Sule will confine herself to Delhi politics, whereas NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit will lead the party in the state. However, Ms Sule of late has been continuously taking on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on various issues, clearly showing that she is gearing up to position herself for a leadership role for NCP in the state.

With several top leaders, including Ajit Pawar, battling corruption charges, she is being seen as an ideal non-controversial face to take over the party, which is going through crisis period.

For couple of months, Ms Sule is seen in several NCP programmes, either addressing party cadre or leading agitations in the state. She has also threatened to hit the streets seeking justice in the Kopardi rape and murder case.

On Friday, speaking in NCP’s farmers rally at Jalgaon, Ms Sule, “Former PM Indira Gandhi had to face defeat in her political tenure, but she stormed back in just couple of years by getting re-elected,” she said.

Ms Sule had slammed Mr Fadnavis by calling him a ‘Chidka Bibba’ — a term used in Marathi to describe a sulking person — a few days back. She had said, “He is constantly fighting like women do to fetch water at taps.”

Ms Sule’s unprecedented attack on Mr Fadnavis had taken everyone by surprise as she is normally known as calm, soft-natured person, who refrains oneself from making any personal attack.

BJP spokesman Madhav Bhandari said, “Ms Sule’s criticism is the result of proxy war within the NCP. Instead of making veiled attacks on CM, she should directly take on rivals within her own party in her bid to take over the NCP.”

NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said the BJP has been startled by Ms Sule’s criticism.

“Not only her, but we have string of leaders, who will continue to attack the BJP,” he said.