Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew steps into the NCP leadership

Mumbai: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo, Sharad Pawar, is said to have found his successor in his grandnephew after Ajit Pawar left the party to side with the BJP and become Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister.

The long-standing tension between NCP chief Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar culminated in Ajit's rebellion, leaving the party depleted and struggling to regain its balance.

The crux of the feud cantered around Ajit's political ambitions and his desire to see his son, Parth, rise as a prominent political player. However, Sharad Pawar had other plans and was more inclined towards his grandnephew, Rohit Pawar, who successfully won the Assembly election in 2019, toppling a BJP stronghold.

Rohit Pawar has emerged as a key figure in the rebuilding process of the NCP, as evident from his recent high-profile protest at the Vidhan Bhavan premises. Displaying his self-assured demeanour, the 38-year-old politician demanded industrial development in his constituency and took a strong stance against the state government's "careless attitude" towards unemployed youth.

Rohit's political journey has been remarkable, having established himself as an entrepreneur and the CEO of Baramati Agro at a young age. Additionally, his mother, Sunanda, a businesswoman and social activist, has been empowering rural women through her annual "Bhimthadi Jatra" event.

As Sharad Pawar strives to pick up the pieces and mend the party's internal strife, Rohit Pawar's influence and support have become crucial in the process. However, Ajit Pawar, despite facing setbacks, remains a significant player, and the battle for control within the NCP is far from over.

With the entire state of Maharashtra watching closely, the struggle for power and succession in the Pawar clan continues to captivate the political landscape, leaving the NCP facing an uncertain future.