Maharashtra Political Crisis: Ajit Pawar Stakes Claim To NCP's Name And Clock Symbol

Ajit Pawar has approached the Election Commission, staking claim to the NCP name and poll symbol.

Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The Election Commission of India has received a petition from Ajit Pawar staking claim to the Nationalist Congress Party and party symbol. Ajit Pawar has claimed that he has the backing of more than 35 MLAs, which made him the leader of the "real NCP". The Election Commission has also received a caveat from Jayant Patil that they have initiated a disqualification process against 9 MLAs.

Addressing an NCP workers' meeting in Mumbai, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that his political achievements to date are because of party chief and his uncle Sharad Pawar. "Whatever I am is because of Sharad Pawar. I learnt working under him. We make governments for the development of people," Ajit Pawar said. However, he also took at the 83-year-old NCP patriarch, saying: "In BJP, leaders retire at 75." "He [Sharad Pawar] portrayed me as a villain in front of everyone. I still have deep respect for him. But you tell me, IAS officers retire at 60...even in politics, BJP leaders retire at 75. You can see the example of LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi...That allows the new generation to rise." "You [Sharad Pawar] give us your blessings. The other day, he went to YB Chavan Memorial. I have also been there. But you are 83, Aren't you going to stop? Give us your blessings and we will pray that you live a long life," he said.

The roots of Ajit Pawar's dissatisfaction with his uncle Sharad Pawar can be traced back to 2009. During that time, Sharad Pawar vacated his Baramati Lok Sabha seat to make way for his daughter Supriya Sule, indicating that she was his chosen political successor. Supriya Sule had returned to India from Singapore three years prior with the support of senior Pawar.

In 2009, when the opportunity arose for Ajit to become the Deputy Chief Minister, he was denied the position by his uncle. Instead, Chhagan Bhujbal was appointed as the Deputy CM in the Ashok Chavan government. However, Bhujbal had to resign over corruption allegations just over a year later. Ajit Pawar saw this as his chance and rallied the support of 62 MLAs to become Maharashtra's eighth Deputy Chief Minister. Nevertheless, he always remained Sharad Pawar's second choice.

Two years later, Ajit Pawar was forced to resign from the Maharashtra Cabinet due to a sustained campaign led by BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis. The BJP accused Ajit Pawar of being involved in a scam worth Rs 70,000 crores. This campaign eventually led to Pawar stepping down as Deputy CM. However, he returned to the post three months later.

Despite his own strong presence, Ajit Pawar has always been seen as "Sharad Pawar's nephew." He has been loyal to Sharad Pawar since 1990-91 and even followed him when he broke away from the Congress in 1999 to form the NCP. Ajit Pawar has long envisioned himself as Sharad Pawar's successor and aspires to become the Chief Minister. However, Sharad Pawar appears to be inclined towards promoting his daughter, Supriya Sule, as his successor.

When Sharad Pawar announced on May 2 that he would step down as the NCP chief, Ajit Pawar saw an opportunity to assume the role of party president. His behaviour following Sharad Pawar's resignation indicated his aspirations. When party workers urged Supriya Sule to speak with Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar advised her to remain silent, as reported by the media.

During a press conference held by the Pawar family, Ajit Pawar displayed signs of irritation. Videos of him snatching a microphone from an NCP worker who was supporting Sharad Pawar and scolding another who was pleading with the party founder went viral. Another clip showed Ajit Pawar telling Supriya Sule, "Don't say anything." Ajit Pawar was among the few NCP leaders who did not request Sharad Pawar to withdraw his resignation. However, his hopes were shattered when Sharad Pawar decided to reverse his decision.

The final straw for Ajit appears to have been the appointment of Supriya Sule and Praful Patel as the working presidents of the NCP by Sharad Pawar on June 11.