NCP chief Sharad Pawar, in a scathing attack on his estranged nephew, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, on Tuesday accused him of breaking the family for his political ambitions.
Campaigning in Baramati for his grandnephew and NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar, Sharad Pawar mimicked Ajit’s recent emotional display over Yugendra’s candidacy, humorously pretending to wipe tears with a handkerchief, which drew laughter from the crowd.
The elections for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats are set for November 20, with counting to follow three days later. At a rally on Monday, Ajit Pawar, currently the MLA from Baramati, expressed disappointment, remarking that “seniors” should have prevented the family rift over Yugendra’s candidacy.
“My parents and brothers never taught me the sin to break the house (family),” Sharad Pawar remarked at a rally in Kanheri, near Baramati.
Emphasising his long-standing leadership role, Pawar noted that he had delegated party responsibilities to the younger generation but cautioned against prioritizing personal power over unity. Referring to the dramatic events following the 2019 elections, he recalled, “Unfortunately, when we (NCP) were not in power, some of our colleagues suddenly woke up at dawn and took oath. That government didn’t last for even for four days.”
Ajit Pawar, who had controversially joined hands with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to form a short-lived government, was targeted by Sharad Pawar’s questions. ” You got the position most of the time. If you fail to get the position only once, will you break the house (family)?” Sharad Pawar asked.
Sharad Pawar also stressed his role as a unifying figure within the family, saying, “I never did anything by going against anyone and will never do so. Going forward, regardless of anyone taking any stand, I will not go on the wrong track. I will ensure that my family will remain united,” as PTI reported.
He further remarked on the “change of language” in Ajit’s tone—from cautioning voters against emotional appeals during the Baramati Lok Sabha campaign to recently making his own emotive pitch.
Despite the ongoing division, Sharad Pawar stated that he avoided favouring any family member and offered ministerial posts to others while keeping Supriya Sule away from office. Finally, he addressed the court battle over the NCP name and symbol, saying the allotment to the rival faction had also been hurtful but underscoring his commitment to keeping his family and values intact.