For Sharad Pawar, This Maharashtra Assembly Election Defeat Is Personal

Sat Nov 23 16:28:43 UTC 2024: ## Veteran Indian Politician Sharad Pawar Hints at Retirement After Dismal Election Results

**Mumbai, India –** Sharad Pawar, a towering figure in Indian politics for nearly six decades, has hinted at his retirement from active politics after his Rajya Sabha term concludes in 2026. The announcement follows a devastating performance by his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, marking a significant low point in his otherwise illustrious career.

Pawar’s NCP faction secured only around 10 seats out of 288, a stark contrast to its 54 seats in the 2019 elections and a mere 11.49% strike rate. This is significantly lower than the 80% strike rate achieved in the Lok Sabha elections just six months prior. The results are even more disheartening considering the NCP’s performance trails the Ajit Pawar faction by 31 seats; the latter capturing the party name and symbol last year following a major split.

The poor showing leaves Pawar’s NCP as one of the smallest parties in the state assembly, falling behind even the Congress and the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena. This marks a dramatic fall from grace for a party that once held significant influence in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Pawar, 83, has held numerous key positions throughout his career, including four terms as Chief Minister of Maharashtra and various ministerial posts at the national level. He also played a crucial role in forging the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in 2019, uniting the Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena.

Despite his long and impactful career, marked by political maneuvering and coalition building, the recent election results appear to have prompted his consideration of retirement. While acknowledging his remaining Rajya Sabha tenure, Pawar recently stated his intention not to contest any future elections. His legacy will undoubtedly be debated, but the significant setback in the recent elections marks a conclusive chapter in his time at the forefront of Indian politics.