Maharashtra’s Minister Aditi Tatkare has expressed her belief that Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar should ascend to the role of Chief Minister to fulfill the aspirations of Ajit Pawar, coinciding with the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) campaign launch for the Baramati by-election on Sunday.
“As party members, we have always envisioned Ajitdada as the Chief Minister. Unfortunately, Maharashtra has yet to see that happen. However, I am confident that this dream will come to fruition with you as the future Chief Minister,” Tatkare stated.
This marks the first instance of an NCP official publicly endorsing such a perspective. Echoing her sentiments, senior NCP figure Chhagan Bhujbal remarked, “Every political party wishes for its leader to take the Chief Minister’s position. I share that belief… This may happen sooner or later, perhaps within the next decade. Sunetra Pawar is very close.”
On her part, Sunetra Pawar emphasized that her capabilities should not be evaluated through the lens of her gender. She kicked off her campaign by paying homage at a Hanuman temple in Kanheri village, a ritual that Ajit Pawar consistently performed during his electoral campaigns in Baramati.
Manoj Dattatrye More serves as a Senior Editor at The Indian Express and has been part of the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he boasts over 33 years of experience in journalism, encompassing editorial responsibilities, investigative reporting, and political commentary.
Professional Background
Experience: More dedicated the first 16 years of his career to the editorial desk before transitioning to field reporting. He has authored more than 20,000 articles, with over 10,000 being bylined works.
Impactful Journalism: He is well-regarded for his “campaign-style” reporting, which has driven significant social reform.
Road Safety Advocacy: His extensive campaign on the hazardous conditions of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki led to a ₹23 crore reconstruction initiative in 2006, which significantly decreased fatalities.
Environmental Conservation: His investigative work against deforestation along the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways preserved around 2,000 trees.
Anti-Corruption Efforts: During the COVID-19 crisis, he uncovered a bribery scandal involving doctors required to pay for government positions, resulting in changes that allowed them to be hired without bribes.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Manoj More’s recent coverage largely centers on the evolving political dynamics in Maharashtra and civic management in the Pimpri-Chinchwad region:
- Political Shifts & Alliances
- Civic & Administrative Accountability
- Social & Labor Issues
“Ajit Pawar’s NCP maintains stronghold in Pune, winning 10 out of 17 local bodies” (Dec 21, 2025): An in-depth analysis of local election results showcasing the NCP’s dominance in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala.
“BJP recruits 13 former corporators, delivers a major setback to NCP” (Dec 20, 2025): Coverage of a significant political shift in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP prepares for civic elections.
“Congress chooses to contest BMC elections independently as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) fail” (Dec 17, 2025): Reporting on the collapse of negotiations within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) regarding Mumbai’s civic elections.
“NCP(SP)’s Rahul Kalate and Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere poised to join BJP” (Dec 19, 2025): An account of notable party changes ahead of municipal elections.
“PCMC faces criticism for issuing tenders worth ₹250 crore right before election regulations” (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative article examining the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute financial maneuvers prior to election restrictions.
“93 fatalities in 76 accidents over five years: Pune’s bypass service roads remain undeveloped for 18 years” (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the protracted delays in infrastructure projects that have contributed to accidents on Pune’s bypass.
“State claims TCS laid off 376 employees: FITE disputes figures, asserts nearly 2,500 were forced to resign” (Dec 11, 2025): An investigation into conflicting accounts concerning layoffs in Maharashtra’s IT sector.
“Maharashtra government plans to ‘downgrade’ Aadhaar cards” (Nov 30, 2025): Coverage of the state’s decision to mandate additional documentation alongside Aadhaar to prevent identity fraud.
Signature Reporting
Manoj More is recognized as the leading authority on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial center he has reported on for three decades. His journalism is marked by a strong stance against local thuggery and a persistent focus on issues related to civic infrastructure, including drainage, waste management, and public transportation.
Follow him on Twitter: @manojmore91982
