Speculation rife on Pawar family reunion

After the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which gave a huge mandate to the ruling Mahayuti alliance and sidelined the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), calls for a family reunion have sparked heated discussions, with the idea of merging the two factions of the party.

- SAURABH SHARMA

In the aftermath of last year's elections, Ajit Pawar's faction secured 41 seats, while Sharad Pawar's camp managed only 10. Ajit Pawar, who is the nephew of the veteran Sharad Pawar, has increasingly emerged as a dominant figure in Maratha politics, outgrowing the shadow of his uncle.

The calls for a Pawar family reunion were initially given by Ajit Pawar's mother, Ashatai Pawar, who, after a temple visit in Pune on New Year's Day, expressed hope for a reconciliation between her son and brother-in-law.