Maharashtra polls: In Pawar family feud, voters in 35 seats will be judge and jury

NAGPUR: The assembly election is marked by an unprecedented internal conflict within the NCP parivaar, as factions led by veteran politician Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar compete for control over the party's legacy and voter base. This family feud has become a central focus of the state's electoral landscape, with the NCP led by Ajit Pawar and the NCP (SP) by Sharad Pawar face each other in 35 constituencies.
The battle is particularly intense in traditional NCP strongholds like Baramati, where Sharad Pawar's grandnephew Yugendra Pawar faces off against Ajit Pawar, who has won the seat seven times. The conflict extends to other regions, including Vidarbha, where both factions are in direct fight in three constituencies - Tumsar (Bhandara), Aheri (Gadchiroli), and Pusad (Yavatmal). This rivalry has created a complex political scenario, forcing voters to choose between two powerful netas from the same family. The split has spurred a scramble for influence, as both NCP factions are vying to capture more seats across the region.

The split originated in 2023 when Ajit Pawar aligned with BJP and chief minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, while Sharad Pawar remained with the opposition MVA. This division reflects deeper ideological differences, with Sharad Pawar emphasising secularism and regional pride, while Ajit Pawar advocates pragmatic governance through BJP alliance.
Sharad Pawar's campaign focuses on traditional NCP values, targeting rural voters with promises of social welfare and development. His faction maintains strong ties with the MVA coalition. Ajit Pawar's campaign highlights benefits of BJP alliance, emphasising infrastructure development and urban projects. His approach appeals to urban and semi-urban voters seeking rapid development.
The election features direct competition between factions in key regions like Pune, Kolhapur, and Mumbai. The Election Commission has allowed both groups to use the NCP name with different symbols, creating confusion among traditional party supporters. Voters face a challenging choice between Sharad Pawar's established legacy and Ajit Pawar's development-focused approach through BJP alliance.
The outcome of this family feud will significantly impact the political future of the state. The assembly election results will determine not only NCP's leadership but also influence the state's political direction. The winning faction will likely shape the state's governance approach, either maintaining Sharad Pawar's traditional values and opposition stance or embracing Ajit Pawar's development-focused alliance with BJP. This election represents more than a family dispute - it's a decisive moment for both NCP's future and the state's political trajectory.
The contest has broader implications for state politics, potentially affecting coalition dynamics and governance priorities. Sharad Pawar's experience and traditional support base compete against Ajit Pawar's access to state resources and development agenda, making this election a crucial turning point in the state's political history.
According to a political analyst, the split has created tension within the NCP voter base, which overwhelmingly backed Sharad Pawar's faction in recent Lok Sabha polls. "The core NCP voters have not fully accepted Ajit Pawar's defection. In the Lok Sabha election, Sharad Pawar's faction won eight of ten seats, while Ajit's faction managed only one out of four. This upcoming assembly election will reveal how people feels about Ajit's alliance with BJP," the analyst said.
The analyst added that many senior politicians, such as Rajendra Shingane from Sindkhed Raja, have already returned to Sharad Pawar, seeing it as the real party.