On the first day of the new year, Ashatai Pawar, mother of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and sister of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar, expressed her heartfelt desire for family unity. Speaking to reporters after visiting the revered Vitthal Mandir in Pandharpur, Ashatai revealed that she prayed for the reconciliation of the Pawar family, which has been divided politically.
“I prayed that all the grievances within the Pawar family should end, and Ajit and Sharad Pawar come together again. I hope my prayers will be granted,” Ashatai shared.
The Pawar family feud has been a prominent issue in Maharashtra politics. Ajit Pawar, once a close ally of his uncle Sharad Pawar, split from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 2023, leading to the formation of two factions. Ajit Pawar’s group retained the party name and symbol after a legal battle, while Sharad Pawar established a separate faction under the name Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).
The political divide has placed the two factions on opposite ends of Maharashtra’s political spectrum. Ajit Pawar’s NCP is a part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, while Sharad Pawar’s faction aligns with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), alongside Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress.
Despite the political split, prominent leaders in Ajit Pawar’s camp welcomed Ashatai’s sentiments. Senior leader Praful Patel, now aligned with Ajit Pawar, remarked, “We have always respected Sharad Pawar. He is like a father figure to us. If the Pawar family reunites, we would be very happy… I consider myself a part of the Pawar family.”
The Pawar family feud has been closely watched in Maharashtra, and Ashatai’s emotional appeal has sparked hopes of reconciliation. Whether her prayers will bring a resolution to the political and familial differences remains to be seen.