top of page

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”.

Symbol of political pride, power and pragmatism

Mumbai: Ajit Ashatai Anantrao Pawar - who straddled Maharashtra’s political landscape like a colossus for nearly 45 years - was snuffed out in a plane crash in Pune early on Wednesday, plunging his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) into precarity and the ruling Mahayuti government into turmoil.


The nephew of Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Govindrao Pawar, Ajit Pawar was 66 and is survived by his wife Sunetra, an MP, and two sons, Parth and Jay. Parth, a wannabe politician, is a bachelor, while Jay married Rutuja Pravin Patil in December 2025.


Born with a ‘political silver spoon’ into the formidable Pawar family, Ajit Pawar’s political trajectory spanned Baramati’s village politics to the cooperative sector, and then to state - and briefly, national - roles. The crowning glory of his career was - being elected Deputy Chief Minister a record six times.


The ‘Pawar-ful’ surname raised towering expectations from Ajit Pawar, thanks largely to his 'Kaka', Sharad Pawar’s ascent as the state’s youngest Chief Minister at the age of 38 in 1978. Yet, Ajit Pawar had to struggle for years to carve an independent niche under Sharad Pawar’s ever-looming giant penumbra, finally emerging from the long eclipse in July 2023 following a vertical split in the NCP.


Humble Grassroots

Rising from humble grassroots political engagement, he quickly grasped the pulse of rural Maharashtra and the state’s political dynamics, especially during the era of coalition politics that has dominated the scene for over a quarter century.

Ajit Pawar concentrated his official power on initiatives ranging from roads, dams and irrigation networks to tough financial decisions. Aided by his brash bluntness style of functioning, a loafing officialdom sprang into action to avoid his dark scowls or wrath.


Over decades as an MLA (eight times), MP and in other key positions, Ajit Pawar mastered the art, science and mechanisms of governance - the movement of files, the working of departments, how decisions are translated into policy and finally implemented to reach the last man standing.


En route, his decisions courted multiple controversies and dubious charges, yet he dashed towards his destinations unperturbed. These included corruption allegations, big and small intra-party and external political confrontations, and his unabashed yet unfulfilled desire to become Chief Minister - all of which marked him as an all-weather survivor.


Iron Control

A retired official recalled his iron control over the bureaucracy, especially during his tenure handling the critical Finance portfolio of the country’s largest state economy. He focused sharply on rural road infrastructure, irrigation projects, water supply schemes, and extensive canal and dam networks.


These initiatives were coupled with strict fiscal discipline, firm budgeting and a ringmaster-style implementation - a tribute to his administrative acumen and efficiency. However, in recent years, he succumbed to realpolitik pressures that not only raised question marks but also catapulted the state’s debt burden to record highs, but he airily brushed aside all censure.

Comments

bottom of page