Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and political journey of Sharad Pawar — a veteran Indian politician, founder of the NCP, former Maharashtra CM, and national statesman — along with his key philosophies and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Sharadchandra Govindrao Pawar (born December 12, 1940) is one of India’s most enduring and influential political figures. Hailing from Maharashtra, he has held senior roles in state and central governments, built cross-party alliances, and shaped policy in agriculture, governance, and cooperative sectors for decades. Known for his political acumen, pragmatism, and power brokering, Pawar’s career spans over six decades — bridging grassroots local politics to national statesmanship.

Early Life and Family

Sharad Pawar was born on December 12, 1940, in Baramati, in what was then Bombay Province, British India (present-day Maharashtra).

He studied up to the 10th standard (secondary school) in Baramati.

Pawar married Pratibha Shinde (daughter of cricketer Sadashiv Shinde). Supriya Sule, who is active in politics representing Baramati in the Lok Sabha.

His extended political family includes his nephew Ajit Pawar, who has also held high offices in Maharashtra politics.

Political Career & Achievements

Entry into Politics & Rise in Maharashtra

Sharad Pawar’s political journey began in the Congress Party. He joined the Youth Congress in 1958.

He first became Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 1978 at a relatively young age, through coalition politics, making him one of the younger CMs of his state.

In his state leadership, Pawar emphasized cooperative institutions (especially in agriculture, sugar cooperatives, rural development) which became a backbone of his political network in western Maharashtra.

From State to National Stage

Pawar’s influence extended beyond Maharashtra. At the national level, he served as Union Minister of Defence under Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1993. Union Minister of Agriculture from 2004 to 2014 under the UPA government.

In 1999, dissatisfied with internal dynamics in the Congress, especially over leadership questions (notably about Sonia Gandhi’s foreign birth), Pawar co-founded a new political party: the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

He also played roles as a regional kingmaker, forging alliances, managing coalition politics, and influencing power balances in Maharashtra and central coalitions.

Pawar has been a Member of Parliament in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) (2005–2008) President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) (2010–2012).

In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour.

Key Milestones & Controversies

• Split from Congress (1999): The founding of the NCP was a watershed moment, reshaping regional politics in Maharashtra and influencing coalition dynamics nationally.

• 1993 Mumbai Blasts & Political Strategy: As CM of Maharashtra during the 12 March 1993 bomb blasts in Mumbai, Pawar’s handling of the crisis later drew criticism and controversy, particularly about statements he made regarding the blasts.

• Allegations & Land Allotment Scrutiny: Over the decades, Pawar and his family have faced public scrutiny concerning land allotments and preferential access to cooperative institutions and real estate.

• Intra-Party Conflict (2023): A major rift developed when his nephew Ajit Pawar led a rebellion, aligning with rival factions and attempting to claim control over parts of NCP. This led to a split in the party and legal/organizational battles over party identity, symbol, and control.

Despite challenges, Pawar retained a loyal support base in western Maharashtra and among rural constituencies, aided by his longstanding cooperative networks and reputation as a power broker.

Legacy & Influence

Sharad Pawar’s political legacy is multifold:

• Master strategist & kingmaker: His ability to broker alliances, shift gears, and remain relevant across changing political landscapes made him a central pivot in Maharashtra and national politics.

• Strengthening cooperatives & rural institutions: Through his leadership in cooperative sugar mills, educational trusts, and rural development, he built institutional networks foundational to his political base.

• Bridging regional and national: Pawar’s career spans local grassroots politics and central governance, allowing him to mediate regional interests in national platforms.

• Crisis manager & elder statesman: In times of political upheaval or transition in Maharashtra, many turned to him as a senior leader with experience and institutional memory.

• Longevity: Few Indian leaders have had as sustained and evolving a career as Pawar, maintaining relevance even in his eighties.

Yet his legacy is also contested: critics point to opacity in resource allocation, patronage politics, and controversies accumulated over decades.

Personality, Style & Philosophy

Pawar is known for his shrewdness, patience, and pragmatism. He rarely shows overt flamboyance; his power often lies in behind-the-scenes maneuvering, negotiation, and coalition management.

He is vocal about fairness, rural interests, and agriculture — often positioning himself as a voice for farmers.

He has also expressed frankness in his remarks. One quote:

“Whatever I feel, I say frankly.”

He has spoken about ethics and success, indicating that success should come with moral responsibility.

Pawar’s style often combines public symbolism (attending rallies, mass reach) with meticulous local organization and coalition logic.

Famous Quotes of Sharad Pawar

Here are some notable quotes attributed to him:

1. “In politics one should not expect big jumps … one should take slow and steady steps.”

2. “I didn’t leave the Congress; I was expelled.”

3. “The Congress is a power-oriented party.”

4. “More and more agricultural land is being used for non-agricultural purposes. Whether it’s any industry, express highway, or expansion of any city, agricultural land is being used.”

5. “I am fully aware that everybody has a right to succeed, and success should be with ethics.”

6. “Whatever I feel, I say frankly.”

These reflect Pawar’s conviction in straightforward expression, concern for agrarian issues, ethical grounding, and realism about political growth.

Lessons from Sharad Pawar

1. Adaptability is key to longevity
   Pawar’s ability to reinvent alliances, shift roles, and stay relevant through political upheavals underscores adaptability as a crucial leadership trait.

2. Institutional base fosters resilience
   His deep roots in cooperative movements, rural networks, and local institutions gave him areas of autonomy and influence less subject to transient political winds.

3. Mediation and negotiation over confrontation
   Pawar often avoids extreme rhetoric; his power lies in brokering compromise and building coalitions rather than confrontation alone.

4. Values must accompany power
   His emphasis on ethics, agricultural protection, and fairness points to the idea that power without principle ultimately costs credibility.

5. Senior leaders matter in transitions
   In periods of instability, statesmen like Pawar play roles that help stabilize, broker peace, or mediate conflicts due to their institutional memory and relationships.

Conclusion

Sharad Pawar is a political titan whose influence spans rural Maharashtra to the corridors of national power. Though polarizing to some, his role in forging coalitions, shaping agrarian policy, and sustaining political relevance for decades is remarkable. His life provides lessons in strategy, institution-building, adaptability, and the complex interplay between ideals and realpolitik.