NEW DELHI: Sharad Pawar is back with a bang. Almost a year after he lost control of his Nationalist Congress Party following a rebellion led by his estranged nephew Ajit Pawar, the Maratha strongman is once again on the centrestage of Maharashtra politics.
The recent surprise visit of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who had sided with Ajit Pawar after last year’s rebellion, and the return of several NCP leaders into his party fold have come as a boost to the veteran leader, who led his party to its best-ever performance in the national elections.
It was on July 2 last year that Ajit Pawar carried out a meticulously planned coup that left his uncle Sharad Pawar surprised and isolated. He joined the Eknath Shinde-led NDA government as the “national president” of Nationalist Congress Party displacing Sharad Pawar, who founded the party in 1999. Ajit Pawar walked away with majority of MLAs and eventually also got the name and symbol of the party.
A year later, the wheel of fortune has turned full circle and today Ajit Pawar stands isolated in the BJP-led Mahayuti after a disastrous Lok Sabha show. What’s worse, the RSS has repeatedly pointed to BJP‘s mistake in aligning with Ajit Pawar.
So, is Sharad Pawar is ready to let bygones be bygones and welcome back Ajit Pawar if he decides for homecoming?
When asked about the possibility of taking back his nephew, Sharad Pawar made it clear that he would first consult all his (party) colleagues who stood with him before taking any step in this matter.
Ajit Pawar faces a tense future in the ruling Mahayuti. His party’s demand for a Cabinet minister berth for senior leader Praful Patel was ignored by the BJP. As the ruling party gears for the assembly elections later this year, Ajit Pawar knows that he faces an uphill task to regain the lost ground.
Sharad Pawar’s ‘aastha’ dig at former party leader Bhujbal
Sharad Pawar also took a dig at NCP leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal over his unscheduled visit to the NCP (SP) chief’s residence recently.
“I was resting because I was unwell when Bhujbal visited me. I was told that Bhujbal had been waiting for me for one hour and was not ready to go without meeting me,” Pawar said.
“Bhujbal’s recent remarks about me in a couple of speeches showed that he had tremendous ‘aastha’ (faith) in me,” Pawar said sarcastically, indirectly referencing Bhujbal’s remarks at a rally held on Sunday.
Bhujbal had claimed Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders backed out from attending an all-party meeting convened by the government at the last minute after receiving a “phone call from Baramati”, alluding to Pawar.
The recent surprise visit of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, who had sided with Ajit Pawar after last year’s rebellion, and the return of several NCP leaders into his party fold have come as a boost to the veteran leader, who led his party to its best-ever performance in the national elections.
It was on July 2 last year that Ajit Pawar carried out a meticulously planned coup that left his uncle Sharad Pawar surprised and isolated. He joined the Eknath Shinde-led NDA government as the “national president” of Nationalist Congress Party displacing Sharad Pawar, who founded the party in 1999. Ajit Pawar walked away with majority of MLAs and eventually also got the name and symbol of the party.
A year later, the wheel of fortune has turned full circle and today Ajit Pawar stands isolated in the BJP-led Mahayuti after a disastrous Lok Sabha show. What’s worse, the RSS has repeatedly pointed to BJP‘s mistake in aligning with Ajit Pawar.
So, is Sharad Pawar is ready to let bygones be bygones and welcome back Ajit Pawar if he decides for homecoming?
When asked about the possibility of taking back his nephew, Sharad Pawar made it clear that he would first consult all his (party) colleagues who stood with him before taking any step in this matter.
Ajit Pawar faces a tense future in the ruling Mahayuti. His party’s demand for a Cabinet minister berth for senior leader Praful Patel was ignored by the BJP. As the ruling party gears for the assembly elections later this year, Ajit Pawar knows that he faces an uphill task to regain the lost ground.
Sharad Pawar’s ‘aastha’ dig at former party leader Bhujbal
Sharad Pawar also took a dig at NCP leader and minister Chhagan Bhujbal over his unscheduled visit to the NCP (SP) chief’s residence recently.
“I was resting because I was unwell when Bhujbal visited me. I was told that Bhujbal had been waiting for me for one hour and was not ready to go without meeting me,” Pawar said.
“Bhujbal’s recent remarks about me in a couple of speeches showed that he had tremendous ‘aastha’ (faith) in me,” Pawar said sarcastically, indirectly referencing Bhujbal’s remarks at a rally held on Sunday.
Bhujbal had claimed Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders backed out from attending an all-party meeting convened by the government at the last minute after receiving a “phone call from Baramati”, alluding to Pawar.