Sharad Pawar, the veteran politician from Maharashtra, has been a master at political moves for over five decades now. He began his political journey in 1958 when he joined Youth Congress and four years later became Pune district Youth Congress president. Since then, he has risen through the ranks and has held various important positions in Maharashtra and at the national level.
Pawar’s political career is marked by several twists and turns, and his ability to navigate complex political situations has earned him the reputation of being a master strategist. He has been the chief minister of Maharashtra four times and has also served as a Union minister for more than a decade.
Born in Baramati in Maharashtra, Pawar comes from a family of farmers. He was educated in Pune and started his career as a lawyer. However, he soon realized that his calling was in politics, and he joined the Congress party.
Pawar’s rise in the Congress party was meteoric, and he soon became one of the party’s key leaders in Maharashtra. He was instrumental in the Congress party’s victory in the state in the 1970s and 1980s. However, his relationship with the party leadership soured, and he eventually split from the Congress to form his own party, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The formation of the NCP was a masterstroke by Pawar, and the party soon emerged as a major force in Maharashtra politics. Pawar’s political acumen and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life helped him build a strong support base in the state.
Pawar’s stint as the chief minister of Maharashtra is regarded as one of the most successful tenures in the state’s history. During his tenure, he initiated several developmental projects and was instrumental in the state’s overall growth. He also played a key role in bringing major industries to Maharashtra, which helped create job opportunities for thousands of people.
Pawar’s stint as a Union minister was equally impressive. He served as the Union minister for agriculture and played a key role in shaping India’s agricultural policies. He was also instrumental in the formation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and played a key role in shaping India’s stance in international trade negotiations.
However, Pawar’s political career has not been without controversies. He has been accused of corruption and has been implicated in several scams. However, Pawar has always maintained his innocence and has said that the allegations against him are politically motivated.
Pawar’s recent announcement to quit as the president of the NCP has taken many by surprise. However, his decision to step down is seen as a masterstroke by political analysts. Pawar is known for his ability to read the political winds, and his decision to step down is seen as a calculated move to revamp the party and prepare it for the upcoming state elections.