Following the untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, there is a discussion within the party about its future direction and leadership succession. The BJP’s potential retention of the Deputy CM position from the NCP and the successor to Ajit Pawar are also being deliberated internally.
Historically, regional parties in India have often been controlled by specific families. In Maharashtra, both the Shiv Sena and the NCP have maintained power within their family circles. Ajit Pawar, a close associate of his mentor Sharad Pawar since the NCP’s establishment in 1999, had been active in politics since 1991, while Supriya Sule entered Parliament in 2006. The uncertainty over Sharad Pawar’s political heir led to Ajit Pawar’s rebellion and the formation of a separate faction in June 2023, despite the presence of senior leaders like Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and Chhagan Bhujbal.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar fielded his wife, Sunetra Pawar, from Baramati, despite advice against it from the BJP leadership. Following her defeat, he secured her a Rajya Sabha seat, facing criticism for promoting “dynasty politics” within his faction. Speculation now surrounds the party’s future direction, with rumors suggesting Sunetra Pawar as a potential interim president, although doubts persist due to the lack of significant organizational experience among her and her sons, Parth and Jay Pawar.
Questions have arisen about the potential return of leaders who aligned with Ajit Pawar to the Sharad Pawar camp, particularly if it means transitioning to the opposition. The leadership of Supriya Sule is reportedly not favored by veterans of the Ajit Pawar faction, and a leadership vacuum seems imminent with limited pan-state influence from leaders like Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. The BJP, leading the Mahayuti government, is anticipated to play a pivotal role in resolving this unfolding crisis.
