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Sharad Pawar Picks Grassroots Maratha Leader Shashikant Shinde as NCP (SP) Maharashtra Chief
In a significant move that underscores a shift towards grassroots leadership, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar has appointed Shashikant Shinde, a low-profile but seasoned Maratha leader from Satara, as the new president of the party’s Maharashtra unit. Shinde, a respected figure in the Mathadi (porter) community, replaces Jayant Patil, the party’s longest-serving state chief and a senior Maratha leader from Sangli.
The 61-year-old Shinde is widely seen as a non-controversial figure with deep roots in Western Maharashtra and a solid track record within the party. His elevation comes at a time when the NCP (SP) is seeking to rebuild its organisation following the 2023 split that saw Ajit Pawar break away with a faction of the party.
A Symbolic Break from Dynastic Politics
Shinde’s appointment has quelled speculation about a possible Pawar family member being named to the post, signaling Sharad Pawar’s intent to decentralize power and expand the leadership circle. “This is a huge honour for someone like me from a humble background. I promise to work day and night to strengthen the NCP and help it reclaim power in Maharashtra,” Shinde said following his appointment.
After assuming his new role, Shinde visited the office of the Mathadi union at the Navi Mumbai APMC, where he paid tribute to the late union leader Annasaheb Patil. Shinde has long been associated with the union and is viewed as a champion of workers’ rights.
Political Journey and Controversies
Shinde’s political career spans decades. Before being elected to the Legislative Council in 2020, he served as a four-time MLA — twice from Jaoli (1999, 2004) and twice from Koregaon (2009, 2014). He lost the Koregaon seat in both the 2019 and 2024 Assembly elections. Notably, Shinde had also served as Minister of State for Water Resources during the Congress-NCP coalition government between 2013 and 2014.
Though once considered close to Ajit Pawar, Shinde chose to remain with Sharad Pawar during the 2023 party split — a decision seen as both principled and politically significant.
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Shinde faced allegations of financial misappropriation in the Navi Mumbai APMC and was under threat of arrest. Speaking at a rally in Karad at the time, he hit back defiantly: “Let them arrest me. This is the second revolution after Independence — we must all fight to preserve democracy.”
Sharad Pawar’s Rebuilding Strategy
The choice of Shinde, a grassroots leader with a working-class background and wide organisational experience, reflects Sharad Pawar’s broader plan to reinvigorate the NCP (SP) by reconnecting with its core voter base in rural and semi-urban Maharashtra. With Assembly elections due in 2024 and a politically fractured state landscape, the party hopes to reclaim lost ground in its traditional strongholds.
