Sharad Pawar bows to mentor Y B Chavan as he begins his new political journey

It was the assembly election of 1967, when Sharad Pawar – an office bearer of youth Congress – sought party ticket at the age of 27. When seniors within the party voiced their opinions against it over the fear of losing the seat, Yashvantrao Chavan stepped in asking how many seats Congress was expecting to win?

When the number informed to him was well-above majority mark, Chavan asked the party why it was worried about losing a single seat and denying an opportunity to a young leader to make his entry into parliamentary politics? Pawar was given the ticket and went on to record his first electoral victory from Baramati assembly seat. Since then for last 56 years, he has not stepped out of legislative career.

Sharad Pawar’s family belonged to leftist Peasants and Workers’ Party (PWP) and it was Chavan who requested Pawar’s mother to allow him to work in the youth Congress.

Pawar was not only the part of Chavan ‘s inner circle, which includes likes of Dadasaheb Rupawate, Annasaheb Shinde and others, but he made it a point to introduce him to Delhi as well. Chavan groomed Pawar within the youth Congress, main party and later in the government. Pawar became the MoS for the first time when he became the second time MLA and many believe that it was on Chavan’s insistence that young blood was given the chance. Such was the growth of Pawar, that in 1978 he became Maharashtra’s youngest Chief minister.

Chavan’s one of the key characteristics was his progressive and modern outlook towards policies, which too is visible from Pawar’s career.

In 1969, Chavan despite his supporters joining Syndicate Congress, chose to remain with Indira Gandhi. Pawar followed him. However, the incidents led to Indira Gandhi and her circle always remained suspicious about the peasant leadership coming from the states. Chavan was a victim of it who according to many was never given his due share in power. Pawar throughout his political career seem to have kept this in mind. His often outburst or conflict against the leadership in Delhi, be it from Congress by forming the NCP or against the today’s BJP, is said to have stemmed from this.

“Yashvantrao Chavan always believed that common citizens should be included into the democratic process of this country. He created new team, took young team with him. He ensured that this team leads to the development of the country. Though he is not with us, his thoughts are with us,” Pawar said on Monday.