Sharad Pawar, a significant name in Maharashtra politics, has recently hinted at a possible retirement from active politics. During a rally in Baramati, he announced that he would not contest any future elections, expressing his desire to focus on mentoring the younger generation. At 83 years old, Pawar emphasised the need to step back and allow new leaders to emerge.
Pawar's political career spans over six decades, during which he has been a dominant figure in Maharashtra. He made it clear that the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections might mark the end of his electoral journey.
While addressing a gathering in Baramati, where he was campaigning for his grandnephew Yugendra Pawar, he shared, “I am not in power. I am definitely in Rajya Sabha. There is still one-and-a-half years left. But after 1.5 years, I will have to think about whether to go to Rajya Sabha or not. I will not contest Lok Sabha. I will not contest any election.”
Despite his long and successful career, including being undefeated in 57 years of electoral politics since his first victory as an MLA in 1967, Pawar affirmed his commitment to serving the public.
He mentioned his principle of paving the way for younger leaders, stating, “I have contested 14 times. You (people) did not send me home even once. You elected me every time. But, I will have to stop somewhere. I will have to bring the new generation forward. I am working with this principle. This does not mean that I have left social work. But I do not want power. I will keep serving and working for the people.”
Pawar's political legacy includes serving as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra four times and holding important positions in the Union Cabinet, such as Minister of Defence and Minister of Agriculture during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. He founded the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999, which recently experienced a split in 2023 when his nephew Ajit Pawar created a separate faction.
Interestingly, just a year ago, Pawar dismissed retirement rumours, insisting he was neither tired nor considering retirement. His comments were partly a response to Ajit Pawar, who suggested that Sharad should step back due to his age.
Reflecting on his lengthy career, he remarked, “You have made me the Chief Minister not once or twice but four times. You elected me in 1967, and I worked here for 25 years before moving on to work for Maharashtra. Now, it's time to prepare for the future. We need to groom leadership that will work for the next 30 years.”
Pawar’s decision not to contest future elections has sparked discussions among political circles, as he has been a stalwart in Maharashtra politics for many years.
His focus on mentoring the younger generation signals a significant shift in his approach as he prepares to step back from the forefront of political activities. While his retirement may leave a void in the political landscape, his commitment to public service remains strong.
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