THE OPPOSITION ELDER STRIKES BACK

In 2014, Narendra Modi praised Sharad Pawar. When the BJP emerged as the single largest party in the Maharashtra assembly, but did not quite have the numbers to form the government and was still negotiating with the Shiv Sena, Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which had fought elections on its own, enabled its government formation by not opposing it. Speculation grew that Pawar’s personal equations with Modi meant he would get softer on the party.

Fast-forward to 2018. Pawar emerged as the Opposition’s key architect in seeking to forge an anti-BJP national coalition. His formula — strike alliances in all states and consolidate non-BJP votes. The formula did not work, and everyone did not listen to his advice. But the BJP took note, and decided to mount an offensive against Pawar. Modi’s rhetoric against him sharpened in the elections. The NCP won just four seats.

The future suddenly looked bleak. Pawar’s family was embroiled in internal feuds; his party leaders began defecting to the BJP and the Sena; central investigative agencies began to open cases against him; and the BJP was eyeing his Maratha constituency, his control over cooperatives, and his stronghold of western Maharashtra.

Instead of retreating, Pawar fought back.

He assumed leadership of the NCP-Congress alliance in the state. He ensured the family feuds did not escalate out of control.

He campaigned relentlessly, travelling and addressing dozens of rallies, day and night, in light and rain. He personally monitored seat dynamics. He played on Maratha pride. He stayed away, despite the BJP’s constant efforts to trap him into a debate on Article 370, from national issues — and instead focused on the local.