Why Sharad Pawar can’t be decoded through a narrow political prism

Almost 24 hours after Pawar spoke, political parties cutting across ideological differences have been exercising caution in reacting to his statements.

On Saturday, Pawar had told the media, “It is a fact that some members from my party had supported JPC. But my point is, look at the composition. If there are 21 members in JPC, 15 will be from the ruling party. Six to seven will be from the Opposition. With an overwhelming majority of ruling party members on the committee to what extent will the truth come out?”

He stressed he believes the other alternative and a better option is a probe by a Supreme Court-monitored panel. The NCP president, who also questioned the credibility of the Hindenburg report on Adani, said, “I am not giving clean chit to anybody. If there is wrongdoing, you attack.”

At the same time, he strongly underlined the contribution made by business houses—Tata, Birla, Ambani, and Adani—to the Indian economy. “I personally believe there are larger issues like price rise, unemployment and farmers crisis.”

‘Old bonding?’

Pawar’s bold assertions ahead of the Rahul Gandhi rally in Nagpur have unsettled its ally Congress. Congress chief Nana Patole said, “We stand by Rahul ji on every issue.”

While the Nationalist Congress Party has been accused of denting the united Opposition both in Delhi and Maharashtra, Pawar critics asked whether it was a “replay of old bonding between Modi-Pawar?”

However, both BJP and NCP leaders speaking in private maintained there is “no change in our stated political stand”. NCP leader Ajit Pawar said, “Whatever Sharad Pawar said is our party’s stand. He is our senior-most leader. We cannot comment on it.”

A BJP vice-president, who did not want to be named, said whether is it at the Centre or the “state, the BJP is the ruling party”. “We have a stable government. Where is the question of scouting for newer alliance partners at this point,” the senior leader added. He also pointed out, “The cracks within the Opposition following differences on views between Pawar and Rahul Gandhi at the centre and MVA work to the BJP’s advantage.”

‘Entitled to his views’

Unpredictable is also a term which has often been used for Pawar by many to describe his politics.

After Uddhav Thackeray severed ties with the BJP post-2019, the saffron party had approached the NCP. The Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar coalition sworn in during an early morning event was short-lived and lasted for just three days.

A former NCP minister, who has closely worked with Pawar, said, “Those trying to evaluate Pawar within a narrow political prism are making an error. He is a visionary and a statesman. He is entitled to express views beyond the political realm.”

Citing an example, he said, “In 2019, when Pawar formed the MVA it was the biggest setback to the BJP. It was the same Pawar who in 2014, suo-motu extended support to the BJP in the Maharashtra Assembly. In both these situations, the NCP played the role of a facilitator to ensure a stable government formation. In turn, it helped the NCP to get stronger”.

In Maharashtra, which has been his matrubhoomi and karmabhoomi, Pawar is also perceived as a pragmatic politician. A four-term chief minister, Pawar in the early 1980s had worked to give Maharashtra the status of an industry leader. At a time when rural Maharashtra dominated the politics centred on agriculture, Pawar gave impetus to the industry. Not surprisingly, Pawar has never attacked any industrialists personally. Even his nephew and state Opposition leader Ajit Pawar and daughter and MP Supriya Sule avoid making personal attacks on industrialists.

On Saturday, Pawar stressed the push business houses have provided to the country. “Earlier, Tata and Birla were attacked. Now, it is Ambani, Adani. While Ambanis have contributed to the petrochemical sector, Adanis have contributed to the field of electricity. If they have committed wrong, you attack. But they have taken responsibility and work for the country. It cannot be ignored.”

And it is no secret that Pawar has excellent relations with prominent people from diverse fields, including captains of industries. In June 2022, Gautam Adani had visited Pawar’s home town of Baramati for the inauguration of the Science and Innovative Centre. At that time, Pawar’s grand nephew Rohit Pawar, who is an MLA in the state Assembly, personally drove the billionaire businessman in his car to the event venue.