Hinting at his likely retirement from parliamentary politics, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday suggested that he may not seek another Rajya Sabha term when his current tenure concludes.
Addressing a rally in Supa, Baramati, 83-year-old leader voiced his readiness to step aside for the next generation while supporting his grand-nephew Yugendra Pawar’s candidacy. He stated that there comes a time when one has to stop and make way for others.
Looking back at his decades long career, Pawar shared how he moved from the Maharashtra Assembly all the way to the Union Cabinet, where he served in key roles as defence and agriculture minister. He also mentioned how, years ago, he chose to step back from Lok Sabha elections, passing on local responsibilities to his nephew Ajit Pawar for over 20 years.
“I decided that I will not be involved in the local politics here and gave all the responsibilities to Ajit dada (nephew Ajit Pawar). For the last 25-30 years, he had all the responsibilities. For the first 30 years, I was there, later Ajit dada was there for another 25 to 30 years and now there is a need to make arrangements for a new leadership,” Sharad said, PTI reported.
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Pawar endorsed Yugendra, who is set to challenge incumbent Baramati MLA and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections on November 20. The election battle follows a rift within the NCP, with Ajit Pawar allying with the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP coalition in 2023.
Listing his achievements, Pawar pointed to his efforts in farm loan waivers, agricultural price hikes, and empowering women in the armed forces during his tenure in defence. “I did a lot of things. I waived farm loans of Rs 70,000 crore, worked to increase the prices of agriculture produce, facilitated agriculture exports, gave women opportunities in the armed forces while working in the defence ministry,” he said.
Pawar, who has won 14 elections over his career, hinted that his time in electoral politics was winding down. “I can only give one assurance. I am not in power. I am in the Rajya Sabha and I got one and a half years’ term left. Afterwards, I will have to take the decision as to whether to go to the Rajya Sabha again. I will not contest Lok Sabha, nor will I contest any (other) election. I have contested 14 elections so far and every time, you have made me victorious, and that is why there is a need to stop somewhere. And that is why I have started working to bring in a new leadership,” he said.
However, Pawar clarified he has no plans for a full retirement.”I will not be in power, but will continue to work for the people, work for the drought-affected regions, the marginalised segments of society,” he affirmed, pledging to remain active in the social sphere even as he steps away from political office.
(With PTI inputs)