Pawar Family Hosts Separate Diwali Events For 1st Time As Ajit, Sharad Gear Up For Maharashtra Polls

The once-united Pawar family celebrated Diwali separately due to a political rift between Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar. Despite speculations of a reunion, both hosted separate Diwali events.

The two NCP faction chiefs Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar are celebrating Diwali separately for the first time.

Source : PTI

The powerful Pawar family of Maharashtra is celebrating Diwali separately for the first time. Sharad Pawar was left high and dry last year when his nephew Ajit Pawar split the Nationalist Congress Party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti. Sharad Pawar chose to remain with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Since then, the distance between the two has been increasing.

BREAKING | NCP में बंटवारे के बाद पहली बार 'चाचा-भतीजे' ने अलग-अलग मनाया दिवाली समारोह

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However, knowing Sharad Pawar and his masterstrokes in political manoeuvres, pundits were half expecting a reunion of the two, at least on Diwali. Even Ajit Pawar during the ABP Shikhar Sammelan in Mumbai this week floated hints that he might celebrate Diwali with uncle Sharad Pawar. However, putting to rest all speculations, the two Pawar families celebrated two Diwalis this year. "Last year, we celebrated Diwali together. Let's see what happens," he said.

In 2023, the Pawar family met for lunch at Sharad Pawar's home in Govindbaug. This was after the NCP split. 

The separate Diwali celebrations in Baramati on Saturday put to rest all speculations. Both the NCP stalwarts were seen meeting party leaders, workers, and supporters separately.

While Ajit Pawar hosted a 'Diwali Milan' programme in the Pawars' ancestral village in Katewadi, Sharad Pawar hosted his Diwali event at the famous Pawar powerhouse at Govindbaug in Baramati.

VIDEO | NCP chief Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) interacts with party workers in 'Diwali Milan' programme in Katewadi, Maharashtra.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)

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#WATCH | Maharashtra: NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar greets people at his residence on the occasion of Diwali Padwa, in Baramati pic.twitter.com/5Lf6Nfgpr6

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2024

Ajit Pawar's son Parthajit Pawar cleared the air on the separate celebrations, saying traditional celebrations would be held together next year. "This is the tradition of the Pawar family... We are celebrating Diwali Padwa here after over 20 years. We kept separate Padwa because the people wanted that... Our party members and leaders wanted a separate Padwa... only Padwa is being celebrated separately. The rest of the traditions will be celebrated together only. However, this year because of the election campaigns, everyone will be busy. Next year we will celebrate Bhai Dooj together," he said.

#WATCH | Maharashtra Dy CM Ajit Pawar greets people at his residence on the occasion of Diwali Padwa, in Baramati pic.twitter.com/En1MYIBJe9

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2024