The Pawar Dynasty at a Crossroads: Ajit Pawar's Transformative Legacy
The tragic death of Ajit Pawar has brought renewed focus to one of Maharashtra's most influential political families, revealing the profound fractures that now define the Pawar dynasty. For generations, this family has dominated western Maharashtra's political landscape through strategic control of cooperatives, sugar factories, and the Nationalist Congress Party. Ajit Pawar, long considered the natural successor to his uncle Sharad Pawar, created seismic shifts that divided both the party and the family, fundamentally altering the trajectory of this political powerhouse.
Foundations of a Political Empire
The Pawar family's political journey began with Govindrao and Shardabai Pawar, whose eleven children established significant influence across politics, business, and public life. Shardabai Pawar emerged as a pioneering figure, actively participating in the Peasants and Workers Party before joining the Congress. Her election to the Pune local board in 1938 marked her as one of the few women in district politics at that time.
Sharad Pawar often credited his mother with instilling the values of public service and diligent work ethic that became family hallmarks. Among their children were:
- Vasantrao Pawar, a lawyer tragically killed in a land dispute
- Dinkarrao Pawar, who focused on agriculture
- Anantrao Pawar, father of Ajit Pawar
- Madhavrao Pawar, who managed industrial units
- Suryakant Pawar, working as an architect
- Sarla Jagtap
- Saroj Patil, married to Left leader N D Patil
- Sharad Pawar, the family's political face
- Meena Jagdhane
- Pratap Pawar, heading the Sakal newspaper group
- Neela Sasane
While Sharad Pawar became the family's political standard-bearer, his siblings built substantial influence in law, business, media, and cooperative sectors, creating a multifaceted family empire.
The Second Generation: Unity and Division
For many years, the second generation maintained remarkable unity behind Sharad Pawar's leadership. From Dinkarrao Pawar's lineage emerged Rajendra and Ranjit Pawar, who established successful agricultural businesses. Rajendra's son, Rohit Pawar, entered politics in 2019, winning the Karjat Jamkhed Assembly seat and becoming one of the younger faces in Sharad Pawar's faction.
From Anantrao Pawar's branch came Ajit Pawar, who rose through the cooperative sector to become Sharad Pawar's closest political confidant during the 1990s. Ajit Pawar developed into one of Maharashtra's most formidable leaders, serving multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister while overseeing critical departments including Irrigation and Finance.
Ajit Pawar's immediate family also entered the political arena. His son Parth Pawar contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Maval, while his wife Sunetra Pawar stepped into electoral politics in 2024. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule entered Parliament in 2009, gradually becoming the primary political representative of her father's camp.
The Family Feud Goes Public
Cracks in family unity became visible following Supriya Sule's political entry and Rohit Pawar's 2019 Assembly victory. Ajit Pawar, who perceived himself as Sharad Pawar's rightful successor, began feeling increasingly marginalized within the family power structure.
The political rupture began in 2019 when Ajit Pawar briefly formed a government with the BJP before returning to his uncle's camp. This temporary break became permanent in July 2023 when Ajit Pawar split the NCP and joined the BJP-led government. Most Pawar family members remained loyal to Sharad Pawar, leading Ajit Pawar to publicly express feelings of exclusion from his own relatives. His brother Shriniwas reportedly campaigned against him, deepening the family divide.
Supriya Sule vs Sunetra Pawar: The Family Showdown
The family schism reached its dramatic peak during the 2024 Lok Sabha election in Baramati, where Supriya Sule faced Sunetra Pawar in a direct electoral confrontation. For the first time in the Pawar family stronghold, two women from the same clan represented opposing political factions.
Supriya Sule represented her father Sharad Pawar's NCP faction, while Sunetra Pawar campaigned under Ajit Pawar's group with BJP support. The election transformed into a battle for control of the Pawar political legacy, with Sule positioning herself as heir to Sharad Pawar's political philosophy while Sunetra Pawar sought votes in her husband's name, highlighting his regional accomplishments.
Sule's victory dealt a significant blow to Ajit Pawar's attempt to wrest Baramati from his uncle's influence, demonstrating that Sharad Pawar maintained strong loyalty in the family bastion despite the party split. However, Ajit Pawar achieved political success in the 2024 Assembly elections, creating a complex power dynamic between the two factions.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
In recent months, speculation grew about potential reconciliation between the two Pawar camps, driven by electoral challenges and the practical limitations of a divided family and party. Leaders from both sides maintained discreet communication channels, and cooperation between NCP factions in some local body elections suggested possible softening of positions.
Ajit Pawar's untimely death leaves the Pawar family politically divided at a critical juncture. Sharad Pawar remains the senior figure in the clan, with Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar carrying forward his political vision. On Ajit Pawar's side, Sunetra Pawar and Parth Pawar continue as visible representatives, though without Ajit Pawar's personal authority over party and government machinery.
The Pawar family's future now stands at a historical crossroads, with their internal divisions reflecting broader shifts in Maharashtra's political landscape. As one of India's most significant political dynasties navigates this transition, their choices will undoubtedly influence state politics for years to come.
