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Pawar

Sharad Govindrao Pawar (born December 12, 1940) is an Indian politician from Maharashtra who founded the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on June 10, 1999, following a split from the Indian National Congress over leadership disagreements, and has led its primary faction as president since inception. He served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra four times (1978, 1988–1990, 1990, and 1993–1995), becoming the state's youngest chief minister at age 38, and held Union Cabinet roles including Minister of Defence (1991–1993) and Minister of Agriculture (2004–2014), during which he influenced policies on food security and rural development. Pawar's career, spanning over five decades, is defined by his command of Maratha regional networks and tactical alliances, though it has involved recurrent party schisms, such as the 2023–2024 NCP division with his nephew Ajit Pawar, amid claims of opportunism and corruption allegations that have persisted without definitive legal resolution. As of 2025, he remains active as NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president and a Rajya Sabha member, critiquing central policies while navigating opposition coalitions.

Early life

Upbringing and family background

was born on December 12, 1940, in , a town in , , to Govindrao Pawar and Shardabai Pawar. His family belonged to the Maratha community and maintained a middle-class agricultural background, with Govindrao primarily engaged in farming and local cooperative activities. Pawar grew up in a rural setting amid Maharashtra's agrarian landscape, where family life revolved around cultivation and community involvement, fostering his early exposure to farmers' economic challenges and needs. This environment, characterized by modest means and dependence on , shaped his foundational understanding of regional issues like and crop yields. He was raised alongside multiple siblings in a joint family structure typical of the era, including brothers such as Anantrao Pawar (father of politician ), Dinkarrao Pawar (an agriculturist), Vasantrao Pawar, and Pratap Pawar, reflecting a lineage tied to landownership and local governance. The family's holdings included over 100 acres of farmland in , supplemented by ventures like , which underscored their agrarian roots despite later expansions.

Education and early influences

Pawar completed his (SSC), equivalent to the 10th standard, at Maharashtra Education Society High School in . He subsequently enrolled at (BMCC) in , affiliated with the University of Pune, where he earned a degree. While at BMCC, Pawar engaged actively in student politics, which marked the beginning of his organizational involvement in political activities. His early political influences stemmed primarily from , Maharashtra's inaugural Chief Minister, whom Pawar regarded as a mentor and who advocated for greater youth participation in governance. Pawar joined the in 1958, aligning himself with the Party's youth wing and drawing inspiration from Chavan's emphasis on movements and , shaped by his own family's agricultural roots in .

Political career

Entry into politics and rise in Congress

entered politics in 1958 by joining the youth wing of the , beginning his affiliation with the party at age 18. He demonstrated early organizational acumen, becoming secretary of the Youth Congress in 1964 and president of the Youth Congress in 1962, roles that allowed him to build networks across the state. In 1967, Pawar contested and won his first election to the from the constituency, securing a seat at age 27 and marking his transition from to elected office within the framework. Concurrently, he was appointed general secretary of the , a position that enhanced his influence in party affairs and recruitment in rural western . Pawar's re-election from in the 1972 Maharashtra assembly polls led to his induction into the state cabinet under Chief Minister as for Home, Food and Civil Supplies, Rehabilitation, Publicity, Sports, and Youth Welfare, a multifaceted portfolio reflecting his broadening administrative responsibilities at age 32. These roles involved oversight of , agricultural , and youth programs, areas where he leveraged his rural base to strengthen Congress's hold in the sugar cooperative-dominated regions of the state. By the mid-1970s, amid the national declared in 1975, Pawar aligned with the faction led by and subsequently served as industry minister under Vasantdada Patil, consolidating his stature as a key operator in Maharashtra's machinery through effective handling of developmental portfolios. His ascent was driven by grassroots mobilization in agrarian constituencies and strategic navigation of intra-party rivalries, positioning him as a rising power broker within the organization's state unit by the late 1970s.

Terms as Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Sharad Pawar first assumed the office of Chief Minister of Maharashtra on July 18, 1978, at the age of 37, making him the youngest person to hold the position up to that point. He achieved this by orchestrating a split from the ruling Indian National Congress (U) government under Vasantdada Patil, leading a group of 35 assembly members to defect and form a coalition with the Janata Party under the Progressive Democratic Front banner. This move ended Congress dominance in the state temporarily, but Pawar's government lasted until February 17, 1980, following electoral defeat amid national political shifts after the Janata Party's collapse. His initial tenure emphasized rural concerns, drawing from his earlier advocacy on drought issues, though specific policy implementations like cooperative enhancements began laying groundwork for Maharashtra's agro-based economy. Pawar returned as Chief Minister for a second term on June 26, 1988, succeeding , and held office until approximately June 1991. This period saw a focus on socio-economic development, particularly in rural areas, with initiatives to bolster irrigation systems and farmer loan schemes amid ongoing drought challenges in regions like and . Pawar's administration promoted structures in , including support for factories and fruit farming subsidies, which strengthened Maharashtra's position as a leader in production and movements. However, these efforts faced criticism for allegedly favoring influential sugar lobbies tied to Maratha cooperatives, contributing to accusations of in . Pawar's third term began on March 6, 1993, after he was recalled from a Union ministerial role to replace , who resigned amid fallout from the 1992-1993 communal riots following the demolition. The tenure, ending on March 14, 1995, was dominated by the March 12, 1993, serial bomb blasts, which killed over 250 people and were linked to retaliation for the riots. To avert further communal escalation, Pawar publicly claimed a 13th blast had occurred in a Muslim-majority area (which did not happen) and initially attributed the attacks to the rather than Islamist perpetrators, later admitting the fabrication was intended to balance perceptions and prevent Hindu-led riots. This strategy, while credited by Pawar with maintaining fragile peace in , sparked controversy for misleading the public and investigators, with critics arguing it delayed accurate attribution to Dawood Ibrahim's network. The term ended after assembly elections, with Pawar's losing to the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. Throughout his chief ministerial stints, Pawar navigated caste dynamics and regional alliances, though detractors have accused him of pioneering divisive caste-based mobilization in politics.

Roles in national government

Sharad Pawar served as the Union Minister of Defence from 26 June 1991 to 5 March 1993 in the government led by . This appointment followed his election to the from in 1991, marking his return to national-level executive responsibilities after prior state-level roles. Pawar's tenure as Defence Minister occurred amid heightened internal security challenges, including the aftermath of the 1991 economic liberalization and rising communal tensions leading to the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition, though specific policy outcomes directly attributable to his portfolio remain debated in contemporaneous reports. In the (UPA) governments under Prime Minister , Pawar held the position of Union Minister of from 23 May 2004 to 26 May 2014, overseeing policies during a period of sustained growth in India's agricultural output, with foodgrain production rising from 212 million tonnes in 2003-04 to over 264 million tonnes by 2013-14. He concurrently managed the of Affairs, Food and Public Distribution from 2004 to 2011, which included responsibility for public distribution systems and initiatives. These roles positioned Pawar as a key figure in coalition politics, leveraging his regional influence in to support UPA's agricultural and defence agendas, though his long tenure in drew from opposition parties on issues like distress and .

Formation and leadership of NCP

In May 1999, , along with and Tariq Anwar, publicly challenged Sonia Gandhi's suitability to lead the due to her Italian origin, arguing it conflicted with nationalist principles and the legacy of leaders. This dissent prompted their expulsion from the on May 19, 1999, after Pawar circulated an questioning the party's direction under foreign-born leadership. The trio formalized the (NCP) on June 10, 1999, in , positioning it as a secular alternative emphasizing , , and regional interests, particularly in , while critiquing Congress's dynastic tendencies and ideological drift. Pawar was elected the party's first and enduring , consolidating control through his organizational network in western 's sugar belt and alliances with Maratha influencers. Under Pawar's leadership, the NCP achieved initial electoral viability in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls, securing 6 seats despite contesting separately from , and expanded in assembly elections through strategic coalitions. By 2004, Pawar steered the party into a pre-poll with , forming the Democratic Front government in where he served as , and joined the (UPA) nationally, enabling ministerial roles like during UPA-I (2004–2009). The party's strength peaked with 62 seats in the 2009 assembly, reflecting Pawar's leverage in balancing rural agrarian lobbies with urban development policies. Pawar maintained unchallenged authority as NCP through multiple re-elections, navigating post-2014 setbacks—such as reduced seats amid BJP's —via flexible alliances, including a brief 2019 tie-up with and to form the government. His tenure emphasized pragmatic power-sharing in , where NCP held deputy posts and key portfolios like home affairs, though critics noted reliance on familial succession, with daughter entering Parliament in 2009.

Recent political developments

2023 NCP split and factional disputes

On July 2, 2023, , Sharad Pawar's nephew and a prominent NCP leader serving as in the , defected to the ruling Mahayuti coalition government comprising Eknath Shinde's and the BJP, taking oath as Deputy Chief Minister for the fifth time. Eight other NCP MLAs—, , , , Anil Patil, Dattatray Bharne, Dharmrao Atram, and Indranil Naik—were also sworn in as ministers, bringing the total NCP representation in the expanded to nine. Ajit Pawar claimed the support of 41 out of the NCP's 53 MLAs in the state assembly, demonstrating this by parading 39 MLAs at Raj Bhavan before the swearing-in to affirm majority backing and avert potential disqualification under anti-defection laws. The faction led by Ajit immediately passed a party resolution endorsing the alliance with the BJP and Shinde's Shiv Sena, framing the move not as a split but as a strategic alignment to accelerate infrastructure projects stalled under the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government and to enable leaders under investigation—such as Ajit himself in the multi-crore irrigation scam—to clear their names through effective governance rather than prolonged legal battles. Sharad Pawar, caught off-guard by the overnight developments, convened an emergency NCP working committee meeting on the same day, labeling the defections as indiscipline and a betrayal of the party's secular ideology, which had positioned it as a key opposition force allied with the Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT). He accused the Ajit faction of succumbing to pressure from central probe agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, noting that several defectors faced ongoing corruption inquiries, and emphasized that the split undermined the NCP's foundational principles established in 1999. Despite expelling Ajit and nine others from the party, Sharad's faction, reduced to around 12-15 MLAs, lacked the numbers to enforce it unilaterally, leading to immediate legal challenges including disqualification petitions filed against the defectors. The triggered intense factional disputes over internal , organizational , and resources, with Ajit Pawar's group asserting dominance through of district-level units and claiming over 55% from workers via affidavits. countered by retaining among national executives and MPs, including his daughter , and accused the BJP of orchestrating the division to weaken opposition ahead of the elections, drawing parallels to the earlier . Both factions vied for the 's clock symbol and name, prompting interventions from the , which in September 2023 recognized both groups temporarily and froze symbol allotment pending adjudication on majority tests involving legislative strength, constitution adherence, and cadre . Throughout late 2023, the Assembly faced petitions for disqualifying the Ajit faction MLAs, with Sharad's camp arguing the defections violated the 10th Schedule of the Constitution by splitting the party without the required one-third legislative support threshold at the time of the move. Ajit defended it as a merger-like alignment endorsed by party resolutions, not individual defections, while internal NCP(SP) efforts focused on consolidating the remaining cadre amid resignations and poaching attempts. The , in 2023, directed the to expedite decisions on all related disqualification cases by , highlighting the causal link between such splits and electoral driven by access and probe relief rather than ideological shifts.

Post-2023 activities and 2024 Maharashtra elections

Following the 2023 split in the , reorganized his faction as the Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP), adopting the tutari (horn) as its election symbol after the recognized Ajit Pawar's group as the official NCP in February 2024. Pawar focused on consolidating support within the (MVA) opposition alliance, comprising his NCP-SP, the , and , while criticizing the ruling Mahayuti coalition of BJP, Eknath Shinde's , and Ajit Pawar's NCP for alleged misuse of agencies like the against defectors. In the lead-up to the elections, Pawar campaigned actively for NCP-SP candidates, achieving a of 80% by winning 8 out of 10 contested seats, outperforming other MVA partners and signaling in western Maharashtra's sugar belt strongholds. This success contrasted with the assembly election preparations, where Pawar hinted at potential reconciliation with Ajit Pawar's faction in May 2025 but prioritized MVA unity amid internal seat-sharing tensions. The elections occurred on November 20, 2024, with NCP-SP contesting 85 seats as part of MVA. Pawar, at 83, led rallies emphasizing against Mahayuti and issues like agrarian distress, but his faction secured only 10 seats, marking its lowest-ever performance and a strike rate below 12%. In direct head-to-head contests with Ajit Pawar's NCP across 59 seats, Pawar's group lost 29, including key defeats in the sugar belt where traditional loyalties eroded due to factors like welfare schemes from the ruling alliance and voter shifts toward BJP-led development narratives. The Mahayuti swept 230 of 288 seats, enabling to return as with as Deputy. Pawar attributed the loss to electoral irregularities, later claiming in August 2025 that unidentified individuals had approached him pre-polls promising 160 guaranteed seats in exchange for alliance shifts, echoing opposition allegations of "vote " via manipulated voter lists and EVM discrepancies, though without verification. In the election's aftermath, Pawar signaled an end to his electoral involvement, stating he would step back after his term expires in 2026, while expressing regret over the NCP's fracture during the party's June 2025 foundation day event. Despite the setback, family ties persisted, as evidenced by joint participation in personal events with .

Other involvements

Cricket administration and BCCI/ICC roles

Sharad Pawar entered administration in upon election as president of the (MCA), defeating former India Test captain in a fractious contest. He retained the position through multiple terms, including re-election for a seventh term on June 19, 2015, before voluntarily resigning on December 17, 2016, citing a desire to step aside amid Supreme Court-mandated reforms. Pawar's influence expanded nationally in 2005 when he was elected president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), serving from that year until 2008 after prevailing over a faction backed by outgoing chief . During this period, the BCCI introduced welfare measures for retired cricketers, including enhanced pensions and support schemes, as credited by then-secretary . His tenure also laid groundwork for the (IPL), launched in 2008, with Pawar's backing pivotal in overcoming internal skepticism toward the T20 franchise model. Transitioning to international roles, Pawar served as ICC vice-president prior to assuming its presidency on July 1, 2010, succeeding David Morgan for a two-year term ending June 27, 2012. His leadership navigated issues such as umpire decision referrals, anti-corruption enforcement amid spot-fixing probes, and tensions over scheduling with emerging boards like , while reinforcing the growing financial and administrative clout of full member nations like . Beyond formal presidencies, Pawar promoted through increased funding and infrastructure focus, shifting from nominal acknowledgment to practical development during his BCCI and involvement. Former chairman later praised Pawar's overall impact on Indian cricket administration.

Personal life

Family and political dynasty

Sharad Pawar is married to Pratibha Pawar, with whom he has one daughter, Supriya Sule. Sule entered politics in 2006 via unopposed election to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra and has since represented the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in four consecutive terms (2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024), serving as a key figure in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its parliamentary activities. Pawar's nephew, —son of Sharad's elder brother Anantrao Pawar—has been a central figure in politics since his election as MLA from in 1991, holding multiple terms as Deputy Chief Minister and positions such as guardian minister for . In July 2023, Ajit led a factional split in the NCP, aligning with the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition and securing the party's name and symbol through adjudication, while maintaining family ties despite political rivalry. The Pawar family exemplifies a multi-generational political in , with at least five elected representatives as of 2024, including (), (), (MLA and Deputy CM), Rohit Pawar (grandnephew and MLA from Karjat-Jamkhed), and Sunetra Pawar (Ajit's wife, nominated for ). Third-generation members like Rohit Pawar, son of Rajendra Pawar (Sharad's cousin), and Parth Pawar (Ajit's son, with brief political involvement) have contested and won seats, consolidating influence in western constituencies such as and . This network has sustained power through NCP leadership roles, cooperative institutions like the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, and alliances, though internal rifts like the 2023 split highlight tensions over succession and ideology.

Health and residences

Sharad Pawar was diagnosed with in 2004, attributed to long-term consumption, and underwent successful to remove the affected tissue. In 2010, he had a minor surgical procedure at in to address an oral infection. Pawar has publicly expressed regret over his past use, stating in 2018 that he wished he had been warned of its risks 40 years earlier. In March 2021, Pawar underwent an emergency at to remove a that had lodged in his , followed by surgery later that month; he was discharged in early April after stable recovery. The following month, in April 2021, he had a procedure to excise a at the same facility. Pawar was hospitalized again in October 2022 for treatment at , where he received care for three days before discharge. As of 2025, Pawar, aged 84, has experienced intermittent health setbacks, including cancellations of public events in due to cough-induced speaking difficulties and a postponed tour requiring complete rest on medical advice. In June 2025, he reported being "ok" after inquired about his condition. By September 2025, Pawar remained active, visiting a hospitalized associate in with no reported serious personal health issues. Pawar maintains primary residences in , , and , which serve as hubs for his political activities. His Mumbai home, Silver Oak Bungalow No. 2 in the area, functions as a key political venue frequented by party workers and aspirants. In Pune, his residence attracts election ticket seekers, particularly ahead of assembly polls. Pawar's Delhi residence hosts national party meetings, as seen during his arrival for an NCP executive session in July 2023.

Controversies

Corruption allegations and scams

Sharad Pawar has faced multiple corruption allegations primarily from political rivals, particularly the BJP, centering on irregularities in projects and the sector during his tenure as Maharashtra's and in union ministries. These claims, often amplified during election campaigns, have included accusations of in awarding contracts and loans to entities linked to NCP affiliates, though Pawar has consistently denied wrongdoing and challenged investigators to prove specific abuses. No criminal convictions have been secured against him personally, with several probes stalling or resulting in closures amid claims of political vendetta. The most prominent allegation involves the irrigation scam, where irregularities totaling an estimated ₹35,000 to ₹70,000 were reported in 34 irrigation projects between 1999 and 2009 under Congress-NCP governments. Pawar, who served as minister and during parts of this period, was accused of oversight failures allowing cost escalations, substandard work, and favoritism toward contractors; his nephew , as minister from 1999-2003 and 2004-2009, faced direct scrutiny for approving projects without adequate scrutiny. A 2012 technical audit by engineer Vijay Pandhare highlighted delays and inflated costs, prompting in 2012-2013 by the BJP-led opposition; however, by 2019, nine cases were closed with findings of no link to , and broader probes remained inconclusive despite BJP's electoral promises in 2014 and 2019. Pawar dismissed the scam narrative as exaggerated, attributing issues to project complexities rather than malfeasance. In the cooperative sector, where Pawar has long dominated through sugar mills and banks, allegations focus on the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank (MSCB) scam involving ₹25,000 crore in bad loans to sugar cooperatives from 2007-2010. Probes by the () since 2019 have targeted diversions, undervalued asset sales, and political influence in loan approvals, implicating NCP-linked entities; in 2024, ED attached ₹50 crore in assets of Agro, owned by Pawar's grandnephew Rohit Pawar, over its 2012 acquisition of a sugar mill at allegedly depressed prices using MSCB funds. and were named in an ED money laundering case in 2019 related to these irregularities, but no charges have led to convictions, with Pawar attributing scrutiny to post-election targeting. Additional claims involve favoritism in sugar mill licenses and distress sales benefiting family-linked firms. Other accusations include the 2012 Lavasa hill city project scam, where a former officer alleged Pawar, Ajit, and daughter conspired with officials for illegal land allotments worth millions, though no formal charges ensued. Pawar has countered such claims by noting selective enforcement, pointing to and closures for NCP defectors like in aviation cases post-2023 alliance shifts, and accusing agencies of bias under central governments. Critics, including Union Minister in 2024, have labeled Pawar the "ringleader of institutionalized ," tying it to NCP's cooperative dominance, while Pawar highlights his clean record absent proven graft.

Accusations of political opportunism and flip-flopping

has faced repeated accusations of political opportunism from rivals across the spectrum, particularly for his history of navigating alliances in to secure or retain power. In 1978, Pawar orchestrated a rebellion within the party against , leading to the formation of the Progressive Democratic Front coalition with support from the and others, enabling him to become for the first time on July 18, 1978; critics, including loyalists, labeled this move as a power grab disguised as ideological dissent. By 1980, however, Pawar merged his faction back into Indira Gandhi's (I), a reversal decried by opponents as opportunistic reconciliation to regain central patronage. The 1999 split from to form the (NCP), ostensibly over Gandhi's foreign origin, drew charges of ambition-driven betrayal, with figures alleging Pawar aimed to position himself as a prime ministerial alternative rather than uphold secular-nationalist principles. Pawar's subsequent alliances, including partnering with in the 2004 (UPA) government despite the acrimonious split, fueled perceptions of ideological flexibility for electoral gain; Arjun Singh, a senior leader, explicitly described Pawar as "unreliable" and prone to "flip-flop" tactics in his 2012 memoir, citing repeated shifts as evidence of fickle loyalty. A prominent recent instance occurred after the October 2019 Maharashtra assembly elections, where NCP won 54 seats alongside BJP's 105 and Shiv Sena's 56, resulting in a hung assembly. BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis accused Pawar of initial willingness to form a post-poll alliance with BJP, claiming portfolio distributions and guardian minister roles had been finalized, only for Pawar to execute a "U-turn" and instead broker the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government on November 23, 2019. Fadnavis further asserted that President's Rule, imposed on November 12, 2019, had Pawar's tacit consent amid these negotiations, portraying the reversal as opportunistic maneuvering to exclude BJP from power. Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray had earlier echoed such criticisms in 2011, decrying Pawar as an "opportunistic" leader undermining ideological consistency for personal gain. These episodes have led BJP spokespersons and analysts to characterize Pawar as embodying "unreliable" , prioritizing regional dominance over fixed partisan commitments, though Pawar has countered that his decisions reflect pragmatic responses to electoral realities and needs rather than .

Criticisms of dynastic politics and favoritism

Sharad Pawar has faced accusations from political opponents, particularly within the (BJP), of fostering dynastic politics in the (NCP), where family members have secured key leadership roles and electoral tickets, potentially sidelining merit-based selection and broader intra-party democracy. His daughter, , has represented since 2009—succeeding her father—and serves as working president of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), a position she assumed in 2019 amid criticisms of preferential elevation. Similarly, grandnephew Rohit Pawar, elected MLA from in 2019 at age 26, was appointed president of the State NCP in 2022, prompting claims of favoritism toward relatives over experienced non-family leaders. Nephew , who held the deputy position multiple times before leading the 2023 NCP split, exemplified the family's entrenched influence, with the Pawar clan collectively holding five elected seats as of June 2024, including in . BJP Finance Minister described the NCP as a "family-run party" in September 2022, arguing it contradicted the party's public opposition to dynastic practices elsewhere while prioritizing familial loyalty for power consolidation. Critics contend this structure perpetuates a lack of internal competition, as evidenced by limited non-Pawar figures rising to top echelons, and fosters allegations of resource allocation favoring family strongholds like , where development projects have been tied to Pawar stewardship since the 1960s. The 2023 NCP schism intensified scrutiny, with Ajit Pawar's rebellion portrayed as a familial power struggle exposing the vulnerabilities of dynasty-led parties, where succession battles prioritize bloodlines over ideological coherence or organizational growth. Opponents highlighted Sharad Pawar's historical criticism of the party's Nehru-Gandhi —dating back to his 1999 exit from —as hypocritical, given his defense of family roles as "party decisions" rather than personal favoritism. In Baramati's 2024 contest, Supriya Sule's nomination over other contenders reinforced perceptions of inherited entitlements, with BJP efforts to challenge the "Pawar " underscoring broader claims that such practices stifle talent infusion and voter choice in Maharashtra's political landscape.

Legacy

Key achievements and contributions

Sharad Pawar served as Union Minister of from 2004 to 2014, during which his policies contributed to annual agricultural growth averaging 3.7% and helped position as one of the world's largest producers of and , shifting the country from a net food importer to an exporter. In , where he held the position of on multiple occasions between 1978 and 1995, Pawar advanced irrigation infrastructure, including the promotion of techniques that enhanced water efficiency in drought-prone areas. He also coordinated state agencies to provide integrated support in power, credit, and seeds, aiding the revival of the cooperative sugar industry in the 1990s. Pawar played a prominent role in cricket governance, presiding over the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2005 to 2008 while concurrently managing agricultural responsibilities at the national level. He later became the second Indian to serve as President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from June 2010 to June 2012, overseeing global cricket affairs during a period of expanding commercial interests in the sport.

Overall reception and impact

Sharad Pawar's influence on Indian politics, particularly in , spans over five decades, marked by his roles as four times (1978, 1988, 1990, and 1993–1995) and Union Minister handling portfolios including defence, , and home affairs, which enabled him to shape policies on , , and agricultural reforms at both state and national levels. His founding of the (NCP) in 1999 after splitting from introduced a significant regional force that facilitated coalitions like the in 2019, altering power dynamics and checking the dominance of rivals such as and BJP in the state. Pawar's strategic alliances and organizational skills contributed to 's economic growth through initiatives like the Jalswarajya project, which aimed to improve rural , though outcomes varied amid persistent . Public reception of Pawar remains polarized, with admirers crediting his political acumen—often dubbing him the " of "—for sustaining influence despite ideological shifts and party splits, as evidenced by his role in navigating post-1995 declines and forming governments through pragmatic coalitions. Supporters, including NCP leaders, argue his legacy of resilience endures electoral setbacks, such as the 2023 party split with nephew aligning with BJP and the NCP(SP)'s reduced seats in the 2024 assembly elections, where it won only 10 seats compared to pre-split projections. Critics, including BJP figures like , decry his career as one of "betrayal and treachery" since toppling the first non- government in in 1978, accusing him of fostering caste-based divisions that fragmented state politics along Maratha-OBC lines. Pawar's broader impact includes mentoring a cadre of leaders and embedding family , as seen in Supriya Sule's parliamentary role, though this has drawn charges of dynastic entrenchment limiting democratic renewal. Nationally, his interventions in , such as advocating for farmer welfare during his tenure (2004–2009), influenced frameworks, but detractors highlight unfulfilled promises amid agrarian distress. Recent gestures, like praising organization post-2024 polls, reflect his adaptive pragmatism, yet underscore perceptions of in a shifting landscape dominated by BJP's electoral gains. Overall, while Pawar's tenure advanced Maharashtra's , his methods have perpetuated instability, with 2024–2025 analyses indicating a decline in his once-unrivaled sway amid voter realignments toward national narratives.

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