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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

MPs rebellion ‘splits’ even some families

Mumbai: Amid the rebellion by 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, at least two of them have shot into the spotlight, but for entirely different and non-political reasons – Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Sanjay Dina-Patil (Mumbai North-East). Despite their fathers currently in the process of shifting loyalties to the Shiv Sena headed by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the son and daughter, respectively, of both these MPs have chosen to stay anchored firmly with SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray....

MPs rebellion ‘splits’ even some families

Mumbai: Amid the rebellion by 6 Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs, at least two of them have shot into the spotlight, but for entirely different and non-political reasons – Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar (Hingoli) and Sanjay Dina-Patil (Mumbai North-East). Despite their fathers currently in the process of shifting loyalties to the Shiv Sena headed by Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the son and daughter, respectively, of both these MPs have chosen to stay anchored firmly with SS (UBT) President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray. They are Krishna Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar and Rajool Sanjay Patil and both are emerging politicians in their own right and with politically bright prospects. Rajool is a SS (UBT) Municipal Corporator from Ward No. 114 (Bhandup) in her father’ constituency, and Krishna is the official Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for the Nanded Local Authorities constituency in the Maharashtra Legislature’s upper house. However, the abrupt rebellion by their fathers - along with four other SS (UBT) MPs has raised question marks on their own loyalties and political moorings – with the MLCs election results scheduled on Monday. A Deputy Leader from Pune guardedly said that “the same norms under the anti-defection laws for parliament would apply” at all levels, preventing the duo (Krishna and Rajool) from following in their fathers’ footsteps. “After all, there are many examples where in the same family, different members owe allegiance to different political parties. They may have made their personal political calculations and survival before taking any plunge blindly in the name of ideology,” the leader told ‘The Perfect Voice’, requesting anonymity. A Mumbai leader averred that in case the political sand slips - for whatever reasons - in the ongoing defection drama, at least all in the family may not have to pay the price for a botch-up, as “these youngsters still have a long road ahead in politics”. On June 18, when Ashtikar’s name came among the six potential turncoats, Krishna faced an embarrassing situation as the MLC polling was underway that day. Krishna quickly mouthed bites to proclaim his allegiance to Thackeray and an equally bewildered Rajool - elected as a BMC corporator just six months ago - instantly declared her support to SS (UBT) and even joined a protest against her father’s decision. Both the youngsters confronting a peculiar family-cum-political divide put up brave faces and publicly claimed that they had “absolutely no inkling” of the political coup currently underway and are firmly with Thackeray. For the present, however, the SS (UBT) camp is somewhat relieved that the damage caused by the proposed exit of the 6 MPs has not percolated to their family members, affording it time to take some proactive measures to prevent a similar scenario in the coming times. SS (UBT) Deputy Leader dares MP’s son A skeptical SS (UBT) Deputy Leader Sushma Andhare and others immediately pounced on Krishna Ashtikar, questioning the credibility of his words after his father and party MP from Hingoli Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar’s plans to switch sides. “Go and perform your father’s funeral rituals (pind-daan) immediately to prove your claims that you are different from your father…” a livid Andhare dared Krishna, who retorted by saying that he is “answerable only to the SS (UBT) supremo and none else”.

Strong Outside, Gentle Within

Pawar was both trusted and deeply connected with the masses

Pune: It was almost heartbreaking for me to hear about the plane crash in Baramati. The sudden and shocking death of Ajitdada Pawar, along with his staff, has left me deeply shaken.


My mind went back to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. That was when I had the chance to work with him during Sunetra Pawar’s campaign against Supriya Sule in the Baramati constituency.


During those days, I was deeply touched by the personal warmth of Ajitdada. His fatherly affection toward all his family members, including Parth, Jay, and Sunetra Tai, as well as his personal staff at his Pune residence, Jijai Bungalow, left a lasting impression on me.


Ajitdada was always caring and practical in his approach to work. You would always feel a sense of positivity the moment you entered his “Jijai”. Even a few minutes of conversation with Ajitdada made you feel grounded and practical. I always met him early in the morning, between 6:30 am and 7:30 am, when he was fresh, calm, and attentive.


At Jijai, you were always offered poha and tea, a simple gesture that reflected his care and respect for his karykartas.


I never once heard Ajitdada express personal anguish, even during his political fight with his cousin sister Supriya during the Lok Sabha elections. He always insisted that rivalry should remain political and never become personal, which I believe is rare among today’s politicians. That is what made him a rare combination of a mass leader and a deeply trustworthy figure in Maharashtra politics.


Ajitdada was like a coconut—strong on the outside, yet gentle, warm, and caring within. Very often, his honesty did not bring him favourable political returns, but he never regretted it. He always stood firmly by his words and actions. I never saw him make gestures just for show, to pass the time, or merely to please people without expecting sincere work in return.


Whether at his residence in Pune or in Baramati, Ajitdada was always surrounded by hundreds of karykartas and people. This itself reflected his strong grassroots connection with the masses.


Even after his party’s recent setback in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal elections, he openly admitted that Punekars had not voted for him. He said he would work harder, with an open mind, to win back their mandate.


Will Ajitdada’s next generation carry forward his political legacy, or will this mark the end of the Ajit Pawar family’s political journey? But one truth is already clear today. There will not be another “Dada” in Maharashtra politics who is both so trusted and so deeply connected with the masses. Jijai will always remember him as their own “Dada”.

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