After Pawar,who?

NCP sources said Pawar was unlikely to retire,and his statement was a ploy to win the sympathy of voters ahead of the Assembly elections. However,in the event of Pawar actually retiring from politics,RAKSHIT SONAWANE takes a look at who could inherit his political legacy.

SUPRIYA SULE,40

In the last few years,Pawar has groomed his daughter Supriya Sule,a microbiologist-turned-politician. Sule earlier teamed up with Laxman Mane,a Pawar protege and former MLC who is also the leader of denotified and nomadic tribes and an author,to run ashram schools for tribal students. In 2006,Sule was elected to the Rajya Sabha. Earlier this year,she contested the Lok Sabha elections from her fathers Baramati seat. But in a party dominated by conservative Marathas,Sule may not be acceptable to all regional satraps.

AJIT PAWAR,50

Pawars nephew and the state minister for water resources,Ajit Pawar,is a strong contender for his legacy. A commerce graduate,Ajit is known to be an outspoken leader,even to the extent of being considered rude. He has been involved in running educational institutions and sugar mills in Pune district. He is serving his third successive term as MLA from Baramati and until Supriya entered public life,was considered to be the heir apparent. He is feared and respected among the partys rank and file.

CHHAGAN BHUJBAL,62

OBC leader Chhagan Bhujbal was once a close confidant of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. In 1991,he left the Sena,citing the partys aversion to the Mandal Commission recommendations on quota for OBCs. But his detractors say he was miffed because he felt Thackeray was more keen to promote Manohar Joshi,a Brahmin. Bhujbal joined the Congress,but later left it with Pawar to form the NCP. As a Shiv Sainik,he was a corporator,MLA and twice Mumbais Mayor. Bhujbal is serving his fourth term as an MLA,and was made the deputy chief minister in 1999. In a Maratha-dominated party,he is the only non-Maratha leader who is powerful and has a pan-Maharashtra appeal. He has attempted to get a pan-India identity by holding OBC rallies in other states. His nephew,Sameer,was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nashik recently,despite local Maratha leaders uniting against him. Bhujbals son,Pankaj,is in the fray for the Assembly polls from Nandgaon Nashik.

VIJAYSINH MOHITE-PATIL,65

State Rural Development Minister Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil is a senior NCP leader who has inherited an empire of cooperatives from his father Shankarrao in Solapur district. He has the seniority and clout to get to the top. He was the president of the Solapur Zilla Parishad from 1971-79 and is serving his sixth term as an MLA. His disadvantage is that he is seen as a regional satrap,who lacks appeal across the state.

R R PATIL,53

Former deputy chief minister R R Patil had humble beginnings in Tasgaon Sangli,and sent his children to the zilla parishad school. He was picked up by Pawar,who groomed him. A law graduate,Patil is serving his fourth term as an MLA. He was made the deputy chief minister in 2004. However,he had to quit after the 26/11 attacks,but Pawar rehabilitated him as the state NCP chief. But he has detractors in the party who scoff at his simple lifestyle and pontification on values.

JAYANT PATIL,47

State Home Minister Jayant Patil is one of the second rung leaders who has been groomed by Pawar. A civil engineer,Patil has also inherited cooperatives sugar,dairy,credit etc in Sangli district from his father Rajarambapu. He is serving his fourth term as an MLA from Walva Sangli and is known to be a shrewd politician.

PRAFUL PATEL,52

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel is a close confidant of Pawar. He is a businessman from Bhandara in the Vidarbha region and has clout in the NCP as well as the Congress. However,he lacks a pan-Maharashtra appeal and is a non-Maratha two key factors which may work against his chances.