Ajit Pawar's Diwali Padwa move to wrest Baramati from uncle Sharad Pawar

Pawar vs Pawar intensifies ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections as Ajit Pawar announced to organise his own "Diwali Padwa" celebrations, a tradition that has been followed by Sharad Pawar for five decades in Baramati.

In Short

• Ajit Pawar to hold separate Diwali Padwa in Baramati
• Split in Pawar family's traditional celebration ahead of Maharashtra polls
• Baramati becomes the focal point in Maharashtra political scene

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is set to hold his own Diwali Padwa celebration in Baramati, breaking a five-decade tradition led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar. This comes as a symbolic declaration of Ajit’s intent to establish himself as a standalone power in Maharashtra politics.

All eyes are now on Baramati as the Pawar family divides its Padwa festivities amid rising political tensions ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Sharad Pawar recently announced the candidacy of his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, for Baramati's Assembly seat, positioning him in direct competition with Ajit’s influence in the region.

Ajit’s move is reminiscent of recent splits in other political gatherings, such as Shiv Sena's Dussehra Melawa, which Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde now hold separately. Ajit Pawar’s Padwa celebration reflects a similar break, with him striving to solidify his standing independently.

During the Diwali Padwa event, Ajit Pawar will meet local officials and party workers, aiming to rally support and outline his vision for Baramati and Maharashtra. According to insiders, the Padwa celebration will showcase Ajit's resilience, signalling that he’s ready to defend his political territory.

ORIGIN OF DIWALI PADWA IN BARAMATI

Sharad Pawar began the Diwali Padwa tradition at his Baramati residence, Govind Bagh, after his first election to the Maharashtra Assembly in 1967. Originally a family gathering, the event grew to be a significant political occasion, drawing party members and supporters from across the state.

The family’s political divide intensified after Ajit Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister on July 2, 2023, deepening rifts within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Last year, Ajit had refrained from hosting his own Padwa event but made an appearance at the family’s Bhaubij celebration, sparking speculation about his relationship with Sharad Pawar.

PAWAR FAMILY DIVISION IN ELECTIONS

In the last Lok Sabha elections, Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s daughter, retained her Baramati seat with a margin of nearly 1.5 lakh votes, despite Ajit Pawar backing his wife, Sunetra Pawar, to challenge her. Sule’s victory affirmed her strong support base, but Ajit now appears determined to assert his influence by hosting his own Padwa, marking a new phase in the Pawar family’s political dynamics.

Ajit’s recent manoeuvres, including his separate Padwa celebration, reflect his drive to claim a lasting role in Maharashtra’s political scene. The split festivities in Baramati underscore a competitive electoral showdown within the Pawar family, foreshadowing a high-stakes race not only for the family legacy but for broader influence in Maharashtra’s political landscape.