Mumbai (Maharashtra)

Nationalist Congress Party's Maharashtra State President Sunil Tatkare said the party's legislature members will hold a meeting on Saturday afternoon to elect the leader of the Legislature Party, with Sunetra Pawar expected to be chosen.

After the meeting, NCP members will meet the Chief Minister with an official letter for a final decision.

Ajit Pawar, 66, died in a plane crash along with four others on Wednesday.

Speaking to the mediapersons here, Tatkare said, "Our legislature party members will meet at 2 pm today. The Group leader (Leader of Legislature Party) will be elected. We hope that keeping in mind the sentiments of people, Sunetra Pawar will be elected as the leader. After that, NCP members will meet the CM with an official letter and then he will make a decision."

He added that NCP MLAs, MPs, and leaders have collectively made a decision regarding Sunetra Pawar, and more details will be shared after today's legislature party meeting.

"Today, we saw a video showing the meeting, which took place over tea in Baramati during an agriculture exhibition. After this, Ajit Dada held a press conference and said that discussions were held regarding the local body elections. Ajit Dada himself noted the details of that day when the discussion took place and shared it with the journalists. We will speak to you in detail after today's meeting. NCP MLAs, MPs, and leaders have collectively made a decision regarding Sunetra Pawar," he said.

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NCP MLA Pramod Hindurao added that all members want Sunetra Pawar to take on the responsibility, after which the process and oath-taking or further formalities will be finalised.

"There is a legislative party meeting at 2 PM this afternoon, where all our leaders will make a decision. However, everyone wants Sunetra Pawar to take on this responsibility. After that meeting, the process will be followed, and then the oath-taking ceremony or whatever further program is decided will be finalised. All party workers want Sunetra Pawar to accept this position as soon as possible," Hindurao said.