Ajit Pawar Death: A massive shockwave spread across the nation after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on Wednesday morning. With his untimely death, the speculations have begun on the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the politics of the western region of the state. Pawar was known for his organizational skills, which established his authority in the region over the years. However, with a lack of clarity on the ties with his uncle Sharad Pawar, a tug of war is likely in the NCP for power after his demise.
Who Will Succeed Ajit Pawar?
Sunetra Pawar, his wife, officially entered into active politics by contesting against the NCP chief's cousin from the Baramati seat. While she could not defeat Sule, her aggressive campaign made Pawar a known face among the supporters and observers of Maharashtra politics. Apart from this, Pawar's son Parth could also be an option to lead the party; however, he has maintained a distance from the politics after receiving defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Party Veterans To Take Over?
Praful Patel could be one of the leaders who can claim the leadership spot, as he has known the party's functioning for the past few decades. While Patel is a well-known strategist and a troubleshooter, he lacks mass appeal. Apart from Patel, other leaders, including Sunil Tatkare and Dhananjay Munde, are also among the frontrunners due to their administrative politics and strong hold over their regions.
Chhagan Bhujbal is also one of the most senior party leaders with a solid vote base, especially among the OBCs. However, serious corruption charges against him and the age factor could weaken his claim. The party leaders and family can also consider a merger with Sharad Pawar's party to keep the voters and the family intact.