The relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NCP chief Sharad Pawar can be aptly described as a complex blend of camaraderie and rivalry, often likened to that of frenemies.
Over the past two and a half decades, their dynamic has traversed through various phases, marked by periods of mutual admiration as well as public sparring. While their disagreements, particularly noticeable during election seasons, might portray a bitter undertone, their interactions outside such contexts typically maintain a cordial demeanour.
Prime Minister Modi's recent rhetoric targeting Maharashtra's octogenarian politician was evident during a rally in Pune, where he referred to Pawar as a “Bhatakti Aaatma” (wandering soul) who allegedly disrupts progress, with Maharashtra bearing the brunt of his actions. Modi’s jibe comes after Pawar’s remark recently where he likened the PM to Vladimir Putin, accusing Modi of fostering an atmosphere of fear in the country.
This exchange of barbs between PM Modi and Pawar isn't unprecedented but rather part of a recurring pattern. Back in 2014, during the Vidhan Sabha elections, Modi vocally criticised Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar, urging Maharashtra's electorate to reject this “Chacha-Bhatija” (Uncle-Nephew) duo, labelling the NCP as a "Naturally Corrupt Party." However, Modi's stance seemingly shifted in early 2015 when, during the inauguration of an Agriculture Technology Centre in Baramati, he praised Pawar's decades-long experience in public life and portrayed him as a political mentor.
Contrary to Modi's typically adversarial approach towards political adversaries, his relationship with Pawar has seen fluctuations. Notably, in 2017, Pawar was conferred with the Padma Vibhushan by the Modi government, despite their ideological differences. However, tensions resurfaced in 2019 following Pawar's criticism of Modi's handling of the Balakot airstrikes. He criticised Modi for taking political advantage of the military action.
Later that year, before the Vidhan Sabha polls, the BJP poached several senior leaders from the NCP and questions were raised over the survival of the party.
However, Pawar hit back by keeping the BJP away from power despite the party emerging as the single largest party and the saffron alliance getting enough seats to form the government. Pawar lured Uddhav Thackeray with the Chief Minister’s post and made him break the alliance with the BJP. The new alliance named as Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising the NCP, the Shiv Sena and the BJP came to power. The MVA government was toppled after two and half years after when the BJP engineered rebellions in the Shiv Sena and the NCP in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Amidst ongoing electoral skirmishes, Modi's current campaign for Sunetra Pawar, Sharad Pawar's daughter-in-law, against Supriya Sule, his daughter, adds another layer of complexity to their relationship. The verbal sparring between Modi and Pawar is anticipated to persist until the culmination of the polls on May 20th, reflecting the enduring intrigue of their political entanglement.
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