Ajit Pawar's Absence From NCP Convention In Mumbai Triggers Fresh Speculation

Ajit Pawar's noticeable absence from the list of invitees for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s one-day convention in Mumbai has sparked rumours that he may be sidelined for political reasons, according to a report in The Times of India.

The convention, which is set to take place on Friday (21 April), will be addressed by NCP president Sharad Pawar, who will talk about the party's aim to develop Mumbai as a world-class city.

State NCP president Jayant Patil will preside over the event, with other party leaders, including Praful Patel, Supriya Sule, and Chhagan Bhujbal, interacting with party workers.

The party's convention in Mumbai was initially set to take place on Thursday, and Ajit Pawar had agreed to attend. However, it was later rescheduled for Friday, and Pawar was unable to attend due to prior commitments in the Pune region.

As a result, his name was excluded from the list of invitees.

Only two days earlier, Ajit Pawar had dismissed speculation that he was set to leave the NCP and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He said he would remain with the NCP till his last breath and accused those spreading the rumours of trying to defame him and sow division in the party.