Mumbai: Like father, like son—or at least that is the image the late Ajit Pawar’s son Parth Pawar seems to be creating. On 15 February, Parth Pawar went to Baramati unannounced, and inspected various public works undertaken by Ajit Pawar in their hometown-Baramati.
He inspected the high-profile Shivsrushti project started by Ajit Pawar in January 2025. A Rs 650-crore project, it is expected to boost tourism. Parth Pawar also asked about the status and safety aspects of various projects like the butterfly garden and adventure activities within the project.
In the month following Ajit Pawar’s death, Parth has stepped up, assuming several of his father’s responsibilities—interacting with workers everyday, personally overseeing the management of events, and monitoring ongoing projects in Baramati.
After largely remaining in the background following his defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Parth now appears poised to re-enter mainstream politics. The Rajya Sabha seat vacated by his mother Sunetra Pawar is widely expected to be offered to him.
“He has taken a keen interest in political activities and party affairs, which is a welcome sign. If he is sent to the Rajya Sabha, the cadre will be pleased,” NCP spokesperson Sanjay Tatkare told ThePrint.
“He is approachable and still young, which will be an advantage,” Tatkare added.
Party insiders say Parth is the most likely choice as the seat has traditionally been held by the family, making him the “natural successor”.
A senior NCP functionary close to Parth said: “He is taking an active interest in politics now. Earlier, he was on the periphery, so it was difficult to assess him. Over the past fortnight, however, we have all observed him closely. He is becoming more responsible and appears ready to step into that role.”
Another party leader noted that Parth had not previously been involved in day-to-day party affairs or major decision-making. “But after dada’s demise, his interest has increased. It is too early to say how this will evolve, but it is encouraging to see him active.”
Following Ajit Pawar’s death, it was unanimously decided that Sunetra Pawar would assume leadership and become Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra—a move Parth supported. According to party sources, the decision was largely taken by senior leaders, as Parth was still grieving at the time.
From the sidelines
After his unsuccessful Lok Sabha bid from Maval in 2019, Parth receded from public view. However, according to an MLA who requested anonymity, he played a behind-the-scenes role in strengthening booth-level management and enhancing the party’s social media presence.
His involvement reportedly increased after the party split in 2023, when Ajit Pawar began leading the new faction. Around that time, the party appointed Naresh Arora of Design Boxed (a political campaign company) as media adviser—Arora is someone with whom Parth is said to share a close rapport.
At one point, Parth publicly defended Arora against criticism from party MLC Amol Mitkari, who had objected to Arora taking credit for the party’s Assembly election victory. Parth stated on social media that Mitkari’s remarks did not reflect the party’s official position and urged him to refrain from making such comments.
Although he continued to avoid extensive media exposure, Parth intermittently assisted his father in party matters—visiting taluka offices, convening district-level meetings, engaging booth-level workers, and strengthening the party’s rural base ahead of the 2024 general election.
With Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for 16 March, Sunetra Pawar—now Deputy Chief Minister—will have to vacate her Upper House seat. Of the seven Maharashtra seats falling vacant, the ruling Mahayuti alliance is expected to secure six.
NCP leaders are, therefore, likely to nominate Parth Pawar to succeed his mother, who had been sent to the Rajya Sabha after losing the 2024 Lok Sabha election to Supriya Sule.
No stranger to controversy
Despite maintaining a relatively low public profile, Parth Pawar has faced his share of controversies.
In 2020, Sharad Pawar publicly described him as “immature” after Parth wrote to then Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh seeking a CBI probe into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death—an episode that reportedly exacerbated tensions within the Pawar family.
Sharad Pawar was widely perceived to have focused more on mentoring his other grandnephews, Rohit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar.
For some time, Parth had been seeking a more active political role. Following his 2019 defeat, however, tensions between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar reportedly intensified, with Ajit believed to have felt that Parth had not been adequately groomed for leadership.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Parth sparked controversy again by meeting Pune-based gangster Gajanan Marne—a move that drew public criticism even from his father.
In November 2025, his name surfaced in connection with the alleged Mundhwa land scam. Earlier this month, however, he was cleared by a high-level inquiry committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge. Revenue department sources indicate that Parth was exonerated as his signature did not appear on any relevant land purchase documents.
The development has come as significant relief for the younger Pawar as he attempts to relaunch his political career.
“Earlier, Parth did not take much interest in party functioning. Now he is meeting people and party workers far more frequently,” the senior functionary quoted earlier said.
Parth also played an active role in organising the prayer meeting for Ajit Pawar on 23 February, overseeing invitations, speeches, and an audio-visual montage chronicling his father’s life.
Party functionaries say they are witnessing a different Parth now. While it remains unclear exactly which role he will assume, they believe his likely nomination to the Rajya Sabha would firmly place him in mainstream politics.
“The view within the party is that Parth Pawar should be given the Rajya Sabha seat, as Sunetra Pawar will contest the MLA seat from Baramati. Since it is effectively a family seat, there is no dispute,” a senior functionary said.
According to party insiders, Parth appears more inclined towards national politics than state-level affairs.
“I believe he will focus on central politics, particularly as Vahini (Sunetra) has moved to state politics. There is a need to strengthen coordination between central and state leadership, and he would be well placed to do that,” a leader close to him said.
Whether this renewed political engagement will bear fruit remains to be seen. “That will depend entirely on the role he chooses to take on in the future,” the MLA said.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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