Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar, born on December 12, 1940, to Govindrao Pawar and Shardabai Pawar in Baramati, Maharashtra, is a notable Indian politician and government official. Pawar hails from a middle-class agricultural family in Baramati and pursued his education at Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce in Pune.

In 1999, he played a pivotal role in founding the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and assumed its presidency.

His political journey began in the 1960s when he became actively involved in student politics and eventually joined the youth wing of the Indian National Congress (Congress Party). Mentored by Yashwantrao Chavan, a senior Maharashtra politician, Pawar was elected as a member of the Maharashtra state legislative assembly in 1967, representing the Baramati constituency. Over the years, he held various ministerial portfolios in the state government.

Pawar's political trajectory saw several shifts, including his brief association with the Congress (Socialist) Party and later merging it with the Congress (I) Party. He served as the chief minister of Maharashtra on multiple occasions and also held the position of defence minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1993.

In 1999, he parted ways with Congress to form the NCP. Despite ideological differences, the NCP allied with Congress to form a coalition government in Maharashtra after the 1999 state legislative elections.

Pawar's involvement in cricket administration, including his tenure as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the International Cricket Council, drew criticism alongside his political career. He also faced scrutiny for promoting the political careers of his daughter, Supriya Sule, and nephew, Ajit Pawar.

Married to Pratibha, daughter of cricketer Sadashiv Shinde, Pawar is the senior figure in the Pawar political dynasty of Maharashtra. Their daughter, Supriya Sule, currently represents the Baramati constituency in the 17th Lok Sabha. Despite his vast experience and contributions, Pawar chose not to contest in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, eventually stepping down from his ministerial post with the ousting of the UPA government.

Notably, Pawar decided to step down as the NCP Chief on May 2, 2023, but his party committee declined the decision and urged him to continue as the party chief. On May 5th, 2023, Pawar finally ended all speculations and took back his resignation, which brought an optimal level of happiness to his fans' and followers' faces.

In 2024, the NCP divided into separate groups—one under the leadership of Ajit Pawar that went with the BJP, and the other stayed by Sharad Pawar as the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction). After the setback, he did not step down as the faction chief but rather strengthened his core support. Up to the year 2025, Sharad Pawar is still vigorous in politics, directing his party’s moves, and coaching the youth of leaders.