Split wide open | In a first, Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar to host separate Diwali events

The split in the Nationalist Congress Party has cast its shadow on the famed Diwali celebrations of the Pawars, as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is all set to hold his own 'Diwali Padwa' celebration in Baramati, breaking a five-decade tradition led by his uncle, Sharad Pawar.

The families of Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, who traditionally celebrate ‘Diwali Padwa’ together at the Govindbaug residence of ‘Pawar saheb’ in Baramati, will keep distance from each other this time on Saturday, celebrating the festival of lights at their respective homes. This is being seen by many as a symbolic declaration of Ajit’s intent to establish himself as a standalone power in Maharashtra politics.

Ajit’s move is reminiscent of recent splits in other political gatherings in Maharashtra’s politics, such as Shiv Sena's Dussehra Melawa, which Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde now hold separately.

Also read: Maharashtra polls | Another Pawar vs Pawar face-off in Baramati; NCP (SP) first list out

Interestingly, Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar had last year celebrated the occasion at the former’s Govindbaug residence, although the latter had joined hands with the BJP and Shinde Sena to be a part of the Mahayuti regime. However, both leaders had met people separately.

‘Pawar’ play in Diwali festivities

In a post on X, Ajit Pawar said he will be organising his Diwali Padva celebration at Katewadi, his native village in Baramati, at 6.30 pm on Saturday, where he will be meeting residents and NCP functionaries.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, his wife Pratibha, daughter Supriya Sule and grandson Rohit Pawar, among other family members, will celebrate Diwali Padwa at their Govindbaug residence on Baramati-Malegaon road in Baramati.

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar and his family, including his mother, wife and two sons will celebrate Diwali Padwa at their Katewadi residence in Sahyog Society, which is about 10 km from the Govindbaug residence of Sharad Pawar.

Ajit Pawar’s elder brother Sriniwas Pawar will also join the celebrations at Sharad Pawar’s home. The NCP (SP) chief has pitted Sriniwas’ son Yugendra Pawar against Ajit Pawar on his home turf Baramati.

Kin rally around Senior Pawar

At the Diwali celebrations, the Pawars meet and greet people from Baramati and beyond, who come in large numbers. Their families then partake food prepared for the special occasion. The celebrations continue for two-three days.

Notably, a majority of the Pawar family members have aligned themselves with Sharad Pawar as they feel Ajit Pawar has not done the right thing by “betraying” the former. They are also not pleased with the fact that Ajit “strayed from the path of secularism” by joining hands with a party like the BJP.

No idea about other event: Sule

Speaking on the issue, Sharad Pawar's daughter and Baramati Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule said she did not have information about the event being hosted by the deputy CM.

Also read: Why future of top political leaders is at stake in Maharashtra Assembly polls

She, however, added that everyone waits for the celebration organised at Govindbaug. “As people from across the state come to greet Pawar saheb, we wait ardently for this joyous day. We will celebrate it together. I don’t know about the other Diwali Padwa (the one at Ajit Pawar’s residence).”

Ajit Pawar, on his part, said, “Our ‘Diwali Padwa’ celebrations will take place at my Katewadi residence. Some of our leaders like Sunil Tatkare and Dhananjay Munde want to join in the celebrations.”

How 'Diwali Padwa' started

The tradition to hold Diwali Padwa gathering began at Sharad Pawar’s Baramati residence way back in 1967 when he first won the election to the Maharashtra Assembly.

Initially, it was intended to be a family gathering, but over the years the event grew to be a significant political occasion, drawing party members and supporters from across the state. However, the split in the party has taken a toll on the event ahead of the crucial Assembly polls in the state scheduled for November 20.

Ajit had refrained from hosting his own Padwa event last year but made an appearance at the family’s Bhaubij celebration, fuelling speculation about his ties with Sharad Pawar.

Also read: Maharashtra people eager for political change; will be reflected in poll outcome: Sharad Pawar

Family ties at stake in Baramati

The split in the NCP has clearly put the family ties at stake in the Pawar clan’s stronghold of Baramati, as the Assembly polls will witness the two camps locking horns with each other in the electoral arena for the second time in less than six months.

In the Lok Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule retained her Baramati seat with a margin of over 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.