Nagpur, 26 Feb

(HS): Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Ajit Pawar has been elected the President of

the Nationalist Congress Party. Following a meeting of the party’s executive

committee, Praful Patel announced Sunetra Pawar’s election as the party chief.

She was made the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra following Ajit Pawar’s

death in a plane crash.

Speaking on the

occasion, Sunetra Pawar said that oarty was established 27 years ago through a

struggle. The party is young and we will have to encourage and support the

party workers. This responsibility in politics is new for met. But I have lived

and worked with a storm like Ajitdada Pawar for 40 years. With the support of

all of you I will be able to live up to your expectations as the party’s

President. Although I have been elected President of the party as a formality,

every worker in the party is the president, and have to work like it.

She referred to

work started for the welfare of women, farmers and other socially and

economically deprived sections by Dada and expressed determination to continue

with it. While recalling Dada’s contribution Sunetra Pawar became emotional and

said the void created by his death cannot be filled.

Senior party

leaders Dilip Walse Patil, Hasant Mushrif, Chhagan Bhujbal, Sunil Tatkare,

Praful Patel also spoke on the occasion and recalled their association with

late Ajit Pawar.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar