In a press conference held in Chiplun on Monday, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar addressed the growing speculation regarding the potential political collaboration between him and his nephew, Ajit Pawar, for the upcoming assembly elections. While emphasizing their familial bond, Sharad Pawar made it clear that they would not be contesting elections as a united front.
“Gharat tari ekatrach ahet (we are together at home),” Pawar stated in response to inquiries about calls for political reunification. He further clarified that Ajit Pawar is currently leading a separate political entity after parting ways with him last year to join the Eknath Shinde-led government as deputy chief minister.
The remarks come amid rising questions about Ajit Pawar’s role within the ruling alliance. Recently, Ajit admitted that allowing his wife, Sunetra Pawar, to contest against Supriya Sule in Baramati was a mistake. When asked to comment on this, Sharad Pawar refrained, saying, “He is in a different party. Why should we comment on decisions taken by another party?”
When probed about the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance’s choice for a chief ministerial candidate, Sharad Pawar downplayed the urgency of the issue, drawing a parallel to the post-Emergency elections. He noted, “I don’t think it is an urgent matter at the moment,” and emphasized that the MVA aims to present a progressive alternative in Maharashtra by collaborating with parties such as the Samajwadi Party and the Peasants and Workers Party.
Pawar also addressed allegations made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding the use of substandard ghee containing “animal fat” in prasad laddoos at the Tirupati temple. He stated, “If anything was mixed, it is very wrong, and action should be taken against those involved.”
As the political landscape in Maharashtra prepares for elections, Ajit Pawar faces challenges within the Mahayuti alliance, particularly after the BJP rejected his party’s request to appoint veteran leader Praful Patel to a Cabinet minister position. With mounting pressures, Ajit Pawar’s path to reclaim lost ground in the upcoming polls remains uncertain.
