Mahesh Kumar
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) (NCP SP) chief Sharad Pawar has raised serious concerns over what he termed the unprecedented misuse of power and money in the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections.
Speaking during a visit to veteran activist Dr. Baba Adhav, who is staging a protest against alleged manipulation of EVMs, Pawar remarked that such control over the electoral process has not been witnessed in any previous state or national elections.
Dr. Adhav, in his 90s, commenced a three-day protest on Thursday at Phule Wada, the residence of social reformer Jyotiba Phule.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies—the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP)—have alleged large-scale manipulation in the elections that resulted in a sweeping victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition.
The Mahayuti, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, secured 230 out of 288 seats, leaving the MVA with just 46.
The NCP(SP), led by Sharad Pawar, faced a significant decline, winning only 10 out of the 87 seats it contested. This sharp reversal comes despite the faction’s earlier success in the Lok Sabha elections, where it won eight of the ten seats contested.
Observers suggest this marks a decisive shift in public support toward Ajit Pawar, who had already gained control over the party's name, symbol, and a majority of its MLAs and MPs.
A day after the results, Pawar paid tribute to his mentor, former Chief Minister Y.B. Chavan, in Karad.
Addressing the loss, the 83-year-old leader vowed to remain active in public life.
"I will not sit idle and will continue to meet people and address their issues," he asserted, while emphasizing his intent to groom a new generation of leaders aligned with his ideology of secularism and social justice.
NCP(SP) general secretary Jaideo Gaikwad acknowledged the need for a clear roadmap to recover from the setback. While admitting the challenges, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to its ideological foundations, which draw inspiration from figures like Chhatrapati Shahu, Mahatma Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar, in contrast to the BJP’s Hindutva agenda.
Pawar’s immediate focus, according to party insiders, is to consolidate his remaining strength of 10 MLAs and eight MPs while preparing for the upcoming civic elections. Historically, the NCP has performed better in semi-urban and rural local body elections, with vote shares of 15% and 21% respectively in these areas during its undivided phase.
One of the key factors in the NCP(SP)’s poor performance has been the lack of strong candidates post-split. Pawar is expected to oversee the party’s civic election campaign, though not directly participate.
A challenge for the aging leader lies in finding a suitable successor within the party. Supriya Sule, his daughter and a prominent MP, has primarily focused on national politics. Meanwhile, two younger family members supported by Pawar—grandnephews Rohit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar—delivered underwhelming results in the Assembly elections.
Adding to speculation about his political future, Pawar had previously hinted at retiring from electoral politics due to his age, stating he would consider stepping away after his current Rajya Sabha term ends in 2026.
However, given the NCP(SP)’s diminished presence, securing another term in the Rajya Sabha might prove difficult.
Despite the challenges, Pawar’s supporters believe his political acumen and commitment to secular values will help the party remain relevant. As the civic elections approach, Pawar’s leadership will be pivotal in reviving the NCP(SP)’s grassroots support and ensuring its survival as a political force in Maharashtra.
The former Chief Minister of the state has repeatedly demonstrated his resilience in the face of adversity, but the current situation presents an unprecedented challenge.
The aging Pawar is unlikely to remain active in the next general elections. Despite all the claims, the enthusiasm of his supporters, and his own intent, it seems that this may well mark the beginning of the end of the road for the veteran politician.
The writer is an independent journalist. The views are personal.
Speaking during a visit to veteran activist Dr. Baba Adhav, who is staging a protest against alleged manipulation of EVMs, Pawar remarked that such control over the electoral process has not been witnessed in any previous state or national elections.
Dr. Adhav, in his 90s, commenced a three-day protest on Thursday at Phule Wada, the residence of social reformer Jyotiba Phule.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies—the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP(SP)—have alleged large-scale manipulation in the elections that resulted in a sweeping victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition.
The Mahayuti, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP, secured 230 out of 288 seats, leaving the MVA with just 46.
The NCP(SP), led by Sharad Pawar, faced a significant decline, winning only 10 out of the 87 seats it contested. This sharp reversal comes despite the faction’s earlier success in the Lok Sabha elections, where it won eight of the ten seats contested.
Observers suggest this marks a decisive shift in public support toward Ajit Pawar, who had already gained control over the party's name, symbol, and a majority of its MLAs and MPs.
A day after the results, Pawar paid tribute to his mentor, former Chief Minister Y.B. Chavan, in Karad.
Addressing the loss, the 83-year-old leader vowed to remain active in public life.
"I will not sit idle and will continue to meet people and address their issues," he asserted, while emphasizing his intent to groom a new generation of leaders aligned with his ideology of secularism and social justice.
NCP(SP) general secretary Jaideo Gaikwad acknowledged the need for a clear roadmap to recover from the setback. While admitting the challenges, he reaffirmed the party’s commitment to its ideological foundations, which draw inspiration from figures like Chhatrapati Shahu, Mahatma Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar, in contrast to the BJP’s Hindutva agenda.
Pawar’s immediate focus, according to party insiders, is to consolidate his remaining strength of 10 MLAs and eight MPs while preparing for the upcoming civic elections. Historically, the NCP has performed better in semi-urban and rural local body elections, with vote shares of 15% and 21% respectively in these areas during its undivided phase.
One of the key factors in the NCP(SP)’s poor performance has been the lack of strong candidates post-split. Pawar is expected to oversee the party’s civic election campaign, though not directly participate.
A challenge for the aging leader lies in finding a suitable successor within the party. Supriya Sule, his daughter and a prominent MP, has primarily focused on national politics. Meanwhile, two younger family members supported by Pawar—grandnephews Rohit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar—delivered underwhelming results in the Assembly elections.
Adding to speculation about his political future, Pawar had previously hinted at retiring from electoral politics due to his age, stating he would consider stepping away after his current Rajya Sabha term ends in 2026.
However, given the NCP(SP)’s diminished presence, securing another term in the Rajya Sabha might prove difficult.
Despite the challenges, Pawar’s supporters believe his political acumen and commitment to secular values will help the party remain relevant. As the civic elections approach, Pawar’s leadership will be pivotal in reviving the NCP(SP)’s grassroots support and ensuring its survival as a political force in Maharashtra.
The former Chief Minister of the state has repeatedly demonstrated his resilience in the face of adversity, but the current situation presents an unprecedented challenge.
The aging Pawar is unlikely to remain active in the next general elections. Despite all the claims, the enthusiasm of his supporters, and his own intent, it seems that this may well mark the beginning of the end of the road for the veteran politician.
The writer is an independent journalist. The views are personal.
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