After being left alone followed by a split in the party orchestrated by his nephew Ajit Pawar, 83-year-old Sharad Pawar emerged smiling and relaxed on Tuesday after securing victories in seven seats out of ten contested by his party. Speaking to reporters on the result day, Pawar said, “I have spoken to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and CPM leader Sitaram Yechury over the phone. We, as INDIA bloc, are likely to meet tomorrow and further decisions will be taken after consultation.” At 83 years, Pawar displaying his resolve to take up challenges seems to have given the organisation a new lease of life. The role of Pawar in Maharashtra 2024 Lok Sabha elections was closely watched for more than two factors. Firstly, Pawar Sr was the mastermind whose initiative saw the formation of INDIA bloc consolidating at the Centre. Despite his cordial relations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pawar not only gave a clarion call to fight against the Modi-led BJP at the Centre and state but also set new narratives which often put the right wing on back foot. In the last three phases of elections, Modi and Shah kept their attack on Pawar in successive rallies held in the state. Even the state top leaders kept their attack on Pawar. In Maharashtra's context, going for Pawar was tough following a split in his own party. Unfazed by the split, Pawar pledged to rebuild the organisation from scratch. Although Pawar was the key strategist in keeping MVA intact, he took the back seat agreeing to contest only ten seats.
