- The entire country has been witness to Maharashtra’s dramatic political churnings in recent years. We all know how the once-aligned BJP and Shiv Sena split up after the elections. We also know how the former Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackeray, joined forces with the Grand Old Party and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to establish the MahaVikarAghadi (MVA) to form the government. Furthermore, the MVA administration fell due to Eknath Shinde’s defection from the Shiv Sena and teaming up with the BJP last year to establish the government. The case was heard by the Supreme Court, whose decision enabled the government to proceed. Maharashtra is once again in the spotlight due to the NCP split caused by Ajit Pawar.
PC: PTI
- Those who follow Maharashtra politics attentively will notice that the NCP has had a difficult year. The astute Sharad Pawar-led party was preoccupied with internal squabbles, with nephew Ajit Pawar vying for a piece of the pie by assuming the much-coveted top leadership job. The nation also saw Sharad Pawar make a dramatic resignation act a few weeks before, foreshadowing AjitPawar’s precipitous departure. Sharad Pawar eventually resigned, purportedly due to pressure from the party’s rank and file. This irritated the nephew, who was constantly attempting to emerge from under his enormous uncle’s shadow.
- As it seems to be turning out, Ajit Pawar has elaborately planned his moves anticipating whatever his shrewd uncle might throw at him in his quest to break the shackles. He has not only joined the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) government as Deputy Chief Minister, but he has also guaranteed that the other eight MLAs join as ministers. The opposing factions’ claims and counterclaims are expected to be played out in public. The dispute will undoubtedly approach the Election Commission of India for party symbol and name, which will undoubtedly be argued vigorously. Ajit Pawar made an interesting observation when he asked why Sharad Pawar is still in politics at the age of 83. He also questioned why legislators are not required to retire at a particular age.
PC: Twitter
- Ajit cited how BJP has an unwritten retirement policy for aging stalwarts when they attain 75 years. LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi readily come to mind. He also stated how bureaucrats retire at the age of 60 but pondered why politicians continue to serve in their 80s and 90s. Not to be outdone, Sharad Pawar said that as long as one is effective in carrying out tasks, age should not be an impediment. Indeed, politics necessitates maturity, knowledge, and a cool mind, and these qualities can legitimately be assigned to individuals who have lived for at least 70 years. Other professional fields may have a retirement age, but not politics, which needs mature individuals to lead the country forward.
