Mumbai: History in Maharashtra politics repeated itself on Sunday after three years and eight months when Ajit Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister for the fifth time. The last time this happened, on November 23, 2019, Ajit’s appointment with the BJP and its minister lasted for several days.
Maharashtra Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis (left) and Ajit Pawar on Sunday (Anshuman Poyrekar/HT Photo)
On Sunday, Ajit played again, but this time with the support of more than 40 of the NCP’s 53 MLAs. He chose to split the party even as his uncle, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar, was busy rallying all opposition parties to take on the BJP. Sunday’s development is also about the nephew trying to outdo his uncle in the long cold war between the two.
Ajit (63) became deputy CM in November 2010 for the first time after flexing his muscle and foiling his uncle’s plan to hand over the post again to party heavyweight Chhagan Bhujbal. In a surprise move, he resigned in September 2012, following allegations against him in an irrigation scam, but returned after three months after getting a “clean slate” for himself from the Congress government- NCP
Despite being in numerous controversies, the deputy of seven mandates enjoys an important following among legislators and cadres. An expert in electoral management and a resourceful leader, he trained many MPs and even helped them get elected. Even after the arrival of Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule, he was regarded as the party’s number two. “He is always available to MLAs and party workers, and is involved in the day-to-day activities of the party,” said an NCP leader. “That’s why most MPs are with him.”
Ajit’s intention to take over the party was no secret. He came into the open when he tried to silence leaders and workers who were persuading Sharad Pawar to take back his resignation as party chief on May 2.
Ajit’s rebellion will change the political equations in the NCP-Congress stronghold of western Maharashtra. He has a good following there and knows the powerful cooperation sector, which is the backbone of the region’s economy. The BJP is desperate to make inroads in the sector and with Ajit on board, it will be easier to contest the 11 Lok Sabha and over 60 assembly seats in western Maharashtra. In fact, even Supriya Sule’s Lok Sabha seat could be in jeopardy as it was Ajit who has been handling affairs in Baramati, the Pawar family’s pocket district. This is the reason why the NCP was moving cautiously and attempts were made until the last moment to persuade it not to leave; in fact, Sule visited Ajit’s official residence twice to convince him.
Leaders close to him said Sule’s elevation as labor president in May had forced his decision. “It brought a direct conflict between the two as she was also in charge of the Maharashtra unit,” said a senior leader. “The decision denied Ajit the free hand he had enjoyed for years.”
Ajit’s ambitions extend to the Prime Minister. He was close to the post in 2004 when the NCP won two more seats than the Congress; however, Pawar conceded the post to the Congress in exchange for more cabinet berths. A determined Ajit secured support among MPs and arm-twisted his uncle to make him deputy chief minister in 2010. Since then, he has been sworn in as deputy CM four more times.
“Ajit would have liked to be in Shinde’s position,” said a key BJP leader. “He was in touch with BJP leaders when Shinde was negotiating with them in 2022. He would have preferred a better deal for him, but with the Enforcement Directorate probing cases involving his family members, he has little choice but to join the government. now.”
Plus, he’ll have something else to deal with: his uncle. Pawar on Sunday vowed to fight. It remains to be seen who scores this time. Will it be the uncle or the nephew?
