Birthday ‘surprise’ for Sharad Pawar as Ajit visits his Delhi home

For Sharad Pawar’s family, Ajit’s visit came as a surprise. The discussion ranged from vandalism in Parbhani and Maharashtra Cabinet expansion, said Ajit Pawar after coming out of the Janpath residence of Sharad Pawar, who turned 84.

NCP (SP) leaders, however, scotched any speculation of a possible reunion.

Earlier in the day, Ajit Pawar extended birthday wishes to his uncle on X. In a post written in Marathi, he said, “Best wishes to Sharad Pawar Saheb on his birthday! May you get good health and a long life.”

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ajit Pawar said, “It’s Saheb’s birthday and tomorrow Kaki will be celebrating her birthday. Therefore, I came to take their darshan. After taking their blessings, we had some tea and discussion on other issues like vandalism in Parbhani, Parliament, Cabinet expansion… political discussions keep taking place…”

His nephew Yugendra Pawar said, “We didn’t know Ajit Pawar was coming today… Our families always kept family ties away from politics… Ajit Pawar must have met Sharad Pawar to wish him on his birthday.”

VIDEO | Rajya Sabha MP and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) cuts a cake on his birthday at his residence in Delhi.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/1fdlRZQC7O

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 12, 2024

“Politics and ideology should be on one side and family on the other… Though Ajit Pawar has moved away from us, I feel our family should remain one. We should make an effort to unite the family… Today’s meeting must be a step towards that,” said Yugendra, who was also in Delhi to wish his grandfather.

Asked about the fierce campaigning during the elections, Yugendra said, “Both sides did not criticise each other severely. No one stooped low. Our family never behaves in that way.”

With the schisms becoming visible, Ajit had skipped the traditional Diwali festivities at the Govindbaug residence of his uncle Sharad Pawar last year after the party split in July 2023. This year, Ajit Pawar and his family celebrated Diwali at their Katewadi residence in Sahyog Society.

Beyond the family bonhomie, many MPs, including from both camps of Shiv Sena and the Congress, visited Sharad Pawar with bouquets.

Sources said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had greeted Pawar too over the phone.

During the Lok Sabha polls, Ajit Pawar fielded his wife Sunetra against Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule. This is said to have led to some familial acrimony. Sule won and Sunetra had to come to the Parliament through the Rajya Sabha route.

In the Lok Sabha polls, the Congress-NCP(SP)-Shiv Sena (UBT) alliance trounced the NDA, winning a majority of seats in the state. During the Assembly polls, the family was in direct contest once again. Sharad Pawar fielded his grandnephew Yugendra Pawar against Ajit in Baramati, prompting Ajit to accuse his uncle of creating a rift in family.