RUN-UP TO 2019: Pawar family feuds over 3rd Gen netas

Feud within the second generation of Maharashtra's powerful political family -- the Pawars -- is boiling over. This time over possible candidature for Sharad Pawar's nephew Ajit Pawar's son Parth from Maval Lok Sabha constituency.

Sharad Pawar has ruled out Parth's candidature but failed to settle the issue.

Ajit Pawar, at a public meeting on Monday, said no final decision has been taken. At the same meeting, Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule had said no one except her will be fighting 2019 LS polls from the family. The senior Pawar had said if everyone in the family was going to aspire for candidature, who was going to toil for the party.

NCP had lost Maval LS constituency twice, but the party can hope for better fortunes if someone from the Pawar family contests there. "Leaders pick a safe seat for their son/daughter. Ajit Pawar is taking a big risk, trying to field his son where the party has lost by a big margin. We don't have another worthy candidate to win the seat," said a source asking what is wrong in Parth contesting.

Ajit Pawar's network in other parties like Peasants and Workers' Party, that is strong in Navi Mumbai (a few pockets fall in Maval constituency) as well as Pimpri Chinchwad (a major chunk of Maval), will help his son in a big way, party leaders say.

The problem, however, is not just senior Pawar's apprehensions over allegations of dynasty politics. Several members within the extended Pawar family hold political aspirations and almost each of them wants to be his political heir. So it's not just grandson Parth, but also another grandson Rohit, son of Pawar's nephew Rajendra who is eying a bigger political pie.

A cautious Parth told DNA: "I've not made up my mind. The party has not taken a final call. However, people want me to enter the poll fray... fill the leadership gap in 25-35 age group," he said.

Rohit was more vocal on his role in the party. "I am an elected member of the Pune Zilla Parishad and am touring the district extensively. Party supremo Sharad Pawar has already clarified that those toiling for the party will be its pick for LS polls," he said.

He said as of now it's 20 per cent politics and 80 per cent social work for him. "I recently visited Dharavi to understand how unorganised sector works. I also visited Latur and Osmanabad recently to meet people who were affected by the Killari earthquake back in 1993. I am meeting people across sections to ensure NCP wins maximum seats in the state assembly as well as Lok Sabha," he said.

Parth, Rohit... 3rd Gen’s Here To Stay

• “People want me to enter the fray... fill the leadership gap in 25-35 age group,” says Parth, indirectly staking claim for seat in 2019 LS polls.
• I’m a member of Pune Zilla Parishad and am touring the district extensively. Party chief has said to field those toiling for party, says Rohit, another Pawar grandson.