The mortal remains of Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar were solemnly brought to his residence in Katewadi on Thursday, marking a somber prelude to his final journey. The last rites for the prominent Nationalist Congress Party leader, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash on Wednesday, are scheduled to take place at the Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati, where funeral preparations are currently in full swing.
Political Vacuum and Leadership Speculation
With Ajit Pawar's untimely passing, the NCP faces a significant leadership void that has sparked intense speculation about the party's future direction. Political analyst Prakash Pawar noted that the Pawar family has been inextricably linked with the NCP's identity, making the succession question particularly complex. "The NCP has always been associated with the Pawar family, and historically, leadership has remained within this political dynasty," he observed.
Potential Leadership Contenders
Analysts suggest that Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's wife, could emerge as a potential candidate to lead the party, leveraging both the sympathy factor and family connections. Her position might enable her to not only assume party leadership but also facilitate merger discussions with the other faction led by Sharad Pawar, who happens to be her father-in-law. This family dynamic creates unique possibilities for political reconciliation.
Merger Challenges and Ideological Divides
However, any potential merger between the two NCP factions presents substantial challenges. Senior NCP legislators currently serving in the Mahayuti government are likely to resist leaving their ministerial positions, while those aligned with Sharad Pawar's opposition group remain committed to the Phule-Ambedkar-Shahu ideological framework.
Ajit Pawar's political acumen had previously enabled the Pawar family to maintain a delicate balancing act between these competing interests. His absence now forces both groups to establish a unified political stance, a task complicated by divergent priorities and allegiances.
Strategic Decisions Ahead
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and working president Supriya Sule face critical decisions regarding potential alignment with the National Democratic Alliance at the national level and the Mahayuti coalition in Maharashtra. If they seek to spearhead a party merger, they must carefully consider whether to join these alliances, as asking NCP legislators to exit the Mahayuti government could trigger defections to the Shiv Sena or BJP.
An alternative scenario involves 85-year-old Sharad Pawar taking direct charge of merger efforts, despite health concerns that have limited his political campaigning since the 2024 assembly elections. Political analyst Prakash Pawar suggested that Sharad Pawar could potentially mobilize Supriya Sule and state NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil to revitalize the party, though this would require establishing clear political objectives.
Key Players in the Transition
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare and working president Praful Patel are expected to play crucial roles in determining the party's future trajectory. However, both leaders face limitations in terms of broad acceptance within their faction and lack the mass appeal traditionally associated with the Pawar family's political stature.
The coming days will reveal whether the NCP can navigate this period of transition while preserving its political relevance in Maharashtra's complex landscape. The funeral proceedings in Baramati serve as both a tribute to Ajit Pawar's legacy and a backdrop for these unfolding political developments that will shape the state's future governance.
