This is an archive article published on November 23, 2019
Ajit Pawar: Jittery within the NCP clan
Ajit, who considered himself the heir-apparent to the NCP chief, had to brush aside calls that he was insecure about his cousin Supriya Sule’s entry into electoral politics in the 2009 Parliamentary elections.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar today took oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra. (Express photo)
Ajit Pawar, son of Sharad Pawar’s elder brother Anantrao, has charted a career graph similar to that of his uncle’s, rising through a firm grip on Maharashtra’s cooperative sector. He has been by his uncle’s side since 1991-92. Since the formation of the NCP by Sharad Pawar there has always been speculation as to who would take over the party after him.
Ajit, who considered himself the heir-apparent to the NCP chief, had to brush aside calls that he was insecure about his cousin Supriya Sule’s entry into electoral politics in the 2009 Parliamentary elections. While both cousins have denied any reports of competition between them, the entry of a third-generation Pawar in the form of Rohit Pawar is said to have rankled Ajit Pawar. Rohit, the grand nephew of the NCP supremo, has been gaining importance within the NCP ranks. His decision to contest the Maharashtra Assembly elections is said to have made his uncle Ajit a bit jittery.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. (Express photo)
Ajit Pawar is no stranger in using the resignation stratagem to have his way. In 2012 he had decided to give up all his ministerial portfolios and resigned as Deputy Chief Minister over accusations of irregularities in irrigation projects during his tenure as the Water Resources Minister. The Chavan government had slipped into a crisis following his resignation with other NCP ministers also threatening to walk out of the government. His uncle, Sharad Pawar, had to then step in to save the government.
Sharad Pawar’s decision to step back from contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections was also said to be because of Ajit’s insistence on fielding his son Parth from Maval. The Senior Pawar was also said to be angry over his nephew’s decision to flutter saffron flags along with the NCP flag at all NCP events.
In September, Ajit Pawar had resigned as Baramati MLA claiming he was hurt by the inclusion of his uncle Sharad Pawar’s name in a money laundering case in connection with the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He subsequently went on to win from Baramati in the Assembly elections.
Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar shake hands after taking oath. (Express photo)
When Ajit Pawar did not toe the party line before
September 25, 2012: Ajit Pawar, who was then the Deputy Chief Minister in the Prithviraj Chavan government, had rocked the ruling side’s boat by resigning from his ministerial position. The Chavan government’s predicament was solved only after Sharad Pawar stepped in.
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April 2013: Ajit courted another major controversy when his question on whether people should urinate to fill up dams in parched regions evoked criticism from all across the state. While he apologised for his comments, the BJP, then in Opposition, milked the issue to target him and the NCP in the 2014 polls.
Ajit Pawar at a rally in Baramati. (Express photo/File)
2004: When the NCP’s central leadership had conceded the chief ministerial chair to Congress despite emerging as the single largest party, Ajit had spoken out against it publicly.
Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas:
Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai.
Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC).
Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai).
Trustworthiness & Credibility
Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence.
Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers).
Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports.
He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More
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NCP leader Ajit Pawar today took oath as Deputy CM of Maharashtra. (Express photo)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai. (Express photo)
Ajit Pawar at a rally in Baramati. (Express photo/File)
