Mumbai, Jan 28 (NationPress) The sudden passing of a prominent leader, the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP President Ajit Pawar, has created a significant gap in the state's political landscape, prompting numerous inquiries about the future trajectory of the party. Key discussions are underway regarding party leadership, the NCP's role within the government, and the potential merger between the Ajit faction and the NCP led by his uncle and Maratha heavyweight Sharad Pawar.

It seems improbable that Sharad Pawar will reenter the Rajya Sabha following his retirement in April. Additionally, he has thus far refrained from forming a direct alliance with the BJP.

In the 1980s, his Socialist Congress was a part of the Progressive Democratic Front alongside the BJP, yet many members with progressive ideals remain loyal to Pawar due to his anti-BJP rhetoric.

During the recent municipal corporation elections, both factions of the NCP collaborated in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, maintaining their alliance in the ongoing Pune Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections.

However, with Ajit Pawar's untimely departure, both factions face a dilemma: should they persist with their electoral alliance or pursue a merger in light of the upcoming state Assembly elections scheduled for 2029?

Should a merger take place, will Supriya Sule be assigned a significant role at the Centre?

The coming months will be pivotal in resolving these issues and determining who will take the helm of the party in the state following Ajit Dada's passing. The BJP's influence in this matter will be crucial.

Ajit Pawar faced backlash for aligning with the BJP, marking an ideological conflict. Nonetheless, many who joined him believed that remaining in power was essential for fulfilling constituency and worker needs.

The prevailing notion was that practicality superseded ideology. Nevertheless, he encountered a setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with only Sunil Tatkare emerging victorious.

His wife, Sunetra Tai, suffered a defeat against Supriya Pawar in Baramati, a significant blow in the Pawar family's political dynamics. He rebounded in the Assembly elections by securing the third-highest number of seats statewide.

Realizing that confrontation with the BJP was counterproductive, he fostered amicable relations with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP’s central leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Despite being a coalition partner in the Mahayuti government, he insisted on upholding his secular credentials and the ideologies of Shivaji, Phule, Ambedkar, and Shahu. As a result, his reputation remained largely intact.

By winning decisively in Baramati during the Assembly elections, he reaffirmed his stronghold on the constituency.

The Sharad Pawar faction did not perform well in the Assembly elections, while the Mahayuti secured a substantial majority, reducing the opposition's clout.

To counter the BJP in the municipal council and corporation elections, both NCP factions formed alliances in various locations, reigniting discussions about a merger.

Now, in the wake of Ajit Pawar's unexpected death, the topics of merger and leadership have resurfaced.

Prior to the NCP split in July 2023, Ajit Pawar managed state responsibilities, while Supriya Sule oversaw politics at the Centre. Following Ajit Pawar's departure, Rohit Pawar, Sharad Pawar's grandson, became increasingly involved in state politics, albeit with limited experience.

Notably, Ajit Pawar's name has been central to state politics for nearly 40 years.

He commenced his political journey in 1982 as a director in a cooperative sugar factory. He served as Deputy Chief Minister of the state a record six times. Ajit Pawar's approach was straightforward: if a task could be accomplished, he would promptly affirm and complete it; otherwise, he would decline with clarity. His daily routine included meetings with officials and workers starting at 6:00 AM.

He became the Chairman of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank in 1991, holding the position for 16 years.

In 1991, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Baramati, a stronghold of the Pawar family. The following year, he entered the state Cabinet. He has been elected to the Legislative Assembly from Baramati seven times, each time with an increasing margin of victory.

Due to his constant connection with workers and his astute nature, his popularity has remained strong in state politics, particularly in rural regions.

Despite establishing a vast organization, his supporters still feel the sting of his near-miss for the Chief Minister's position.

Ajit Pawar collaborated with his uncle and Maratha titan Sharad Pawar in politics. However, on November 23, 2019, he rebelled and took the oath as Deputy Chief Minister, a position he held briefly before returning home.

Later, on July 2, 2023, Ajit Pawar once again departed the party to join the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena government. With the majority of MLAs aligning with him, a vertical split occurred within the NCP, leading to his oath-taking as Deputy Chief Minister.

The future of the Ajit Pawar faction without him remains uncertain.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)