After Sharad Pawar's meeting with CM Shinde, businessman Gautam Adani arrives at 'Silver Oak'; two VIP meetings set off speculations

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday met Nationalist Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Chief Sharad Pawar called on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the CM’s official residence ``Varsha"  on Thursday evening. 

Many eyebrows were raised as the first meeting between the two leaders after the change of power in the state came at a time  when the atmosphere is politically charged ahead of the elections. However, Pawar himself settled speculations around the meeting later when he tweeted claiming that the meeing was to invite Shinde for the platinum jubilee celebrations of Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir.

Pawar, in his tweet also said that they also discussed organising a meeting to know the problems of artistes from the fields of Marathi film, theater and art. The meeting between the two leaders lasted for almost 40 minutes, sources in the CMO said.

After Pawar's meeting with CM Shinde on Thursday, businessman Gautam Adani reportedly visited the NCP chief for a meeting at his 'Silver Oak' residence in Mumbai.

The two VIP meetings have once again sparked speculations regarding what could be the political outcome of these meetings.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that  Pawar arranged a meeting between a business delegation from Singapore and industrialist Gautam Adani. 

Interestingly, Sharad Pawar's nephew and senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar was in the news few days back after reports of his alleged closeness with the ruling BJP. However, Ajit Pawar rubbished the reports and high drama followed at an NCP convention where Sharad Pawar announced he would be stepping down as the NCP chief. However, Pawar had to step back from his decision following an uproar from NCP workers.

While such meetings often get termed as "courtesy meeting" to avoid any speculations, the suspense over NCP's stand in recent times spark interest and senior Pawar's actions continue to get scrutinized. With the BMC polls due and questions over MVA unity, the meeting between Pawar and Shidne is bound to ignite interest and elicit political response.