EP 205 - The 'Pa-war' Struggle, Maharashtra Polls and Mahayuti Alliance with Ajit Pawar

Ajit Pawar is Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and a partner in the Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP and the Shiv Sena Shinde faction. He is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, who has served as Maharashtra's Chief Minister four times. In July 2023, Ajit Pawar split the NCP, a party founded by his uncle. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Ajit Pawar faced a setback when his wife lost the election against Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ajit Pawar calls fielding his wife against Supriya Sule in Baramati a bad decision. He also explains why his party and its alliance partners didn't perform well in the Lok Sabha polls. He declines to comment on the possibility of returning to his uncle's party.

The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister also discusses the farmers' crisis and the state of infrastructure in Pune and Mumbai. He advocates for a caste census, stating that the real numbers of every community should be revealed.

Introduction (0:00)

Pawar vs. Pawar (0:35)

Ajit Pawar with Mahayuti? (9:57)

Maharashtra Assembly Polls (17:15)

Civic Polls (22:07)

Ajit Pawar's Vision (25:44)

Maha Farmers' Crisis (32:10)

Water Management Issues (36:05)

City Infrastructure Issues (40:15)

Voters on Mahayuti Government (49:15)

Jan Samman Yatra (50:53)

Pawar’s Family & Politics (54:52)

Ajit Pawar on 'Waqf Board' (1:01:12)

CM if Mahayuti Wins? (1:05:35)

Ajit Pawar's Future Plans (1:12:15)

Caste Census (1:15:28)