NCP boss Sharad Pawar announces his decision to step down, speculations rife over his successor

Even as party leaders and workers have urged Sharad Pawar to reconsider his decision and continue as the NCP boss, the question – who after him – is being bandied about in the corridors of power.

Highly placed sources stated that Senior Pawar will take a decision on this after adequate consultations with other party leaders.

Jayant Patil, Ajit Pawar, and Supriya Sule are considered to be the front-runners to replace Sharad Pawar.

Jayant Patil is the state NCP president and Ajit Pawar is the Opposition leader in Maharashtra.

Although Praful Patel is one of the most experienced leaders in the party, many in the NCP believe that the reins would be handed over to a Maratha leader. After all, the Marathas have been the electoral backbone of the party and constitute 33 per cent of the state population.

Jayant Patil, who was reportedly keen on playing the role of the Opposition leader, is described by many as a bright politician with a modern and moderate outlook. He has served as the state finance minister for 10 years – a record in Maharashtra. He joined politics after completing his engineering studies. Jayant Patil has been representing the Islampur constituency in Sangli district for the last 30 years.

A section within the NCP, however, is rooting for Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule.

Sule has been representing the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency since 2009. The seat was previously held by her father. Political observers said that Sule has always focused on national politics during her entire political career.

Sule is looked at as a soft-spoken but firm leader who is at ease dealing with both rural and urban masses. “Sule can interact with women self-help groups or have a candid dialogue with national leaders. She also comes across as a leader who will never compromise on secularism,” said an NCP leader.

A senior NCP leader and close aide of Sharad Pawar said, “Sule has closely seen national politics unfold since 2009. She is a witness to all important meetings that have taken place at Sharad Pawar’s Delhi residence. Under the tutelage of Senior Pawar, she will emerge as a confident national leader if given an opportunity.”

Some in the NCP, though, claim that Sharad Pawar’s nephew Ajit Pawar may be a stronger contender. “He has vast experience in state legislative politics. Ajit Pawar is known as a bold, assertive, and hard-working leader just like his uncle. He has served as the deputy CM for four terms. He has a sizeable following among the elected members of the party,” another NCP leader said.

To avoid any clashes within the first family of the NCP, Senior Pawar has carefully divided the roles. He has ensured that daughter Supriya Sule restricts her politics to Parliament and his nephew Ajit Pawar focuses on Maharashtra politics.

It remains to be seen whether the same division of work continues after Sharad Pawar’s resignation or if some changes are made to the roles assigned to Sule and Ajit Pawar.

A senior leader in the party said, “Sharad Pawar’s ability to strike the right balance and avert clashes within his own family or the party makes him so extraordinary. Something which even late Bal Thackeray could not do.”

Notably, the power tussle within the Shiv Sena saw Bal Thackeray’s nephew Raj Thackeray leave the organisation and form a separate party. Bal Thackeray handed over the reins of the Shiv Sena to his son Uddhav Thackeray.

An NCP source said, “In the 1990s when Sharad Pawar was still in the Congress, he had promoted a lot of young talent. All these leaders joined him when he formed the NCP in 1999.

“Former home minister Dilip Walse Patil to Jayant Patil – all have proved their mettle in each role assigned to them by the organisation. Therefore, whomever Senior Pawar picks for the national party president job will be acceptable to one and all.”