Sharad Pawar Springs Another Surprise, Withdraws His Party From Next CM Race

Veteran leader Sharad Pawar has once again confounded the political situation in Maharashtra. Known for his practice of making surprise moves and statements at the most unexpected occasions, Pawar has now declared that the Nationalist Congress Party faction under him is not interested in claiming the chief ministerial chair. The statement is significant since the other two Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners – the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress – are seen haggling over the next prospective state CM after the assembly election. Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray’s repeated entreaties to declare the name of the likely candidate and the Congress party’s stern refusal to respond to him have already created an impression that all is not well in MVA. Pawar has set the cat among the pigeons, it is felt, by warning all CM hopefuls not to take things for granted. Political observers recall how Pawar had compelled the then Congress leadership to replace Vilasrao Deshmukh in 2008 as chief minister after the Pakistani terror attack on Mumbai. Pawar had asked his party leader RR Patil to step down as the home minister, leaving no choice for the Congress but to ask Deshmukh to relinquish. The Centre’s decision to deploy Z-Plus security for Pawar has already generated curiosity among his followers and opponents alike. On top of that, his latest statement has only added to the complexity of the situation. This is typical of Pawar, both sides concur.