New ‘Dada’ on rise in state politics?

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar legislator Rohit Pawar speaks to the media on the Vidhan Bhavan premises earlier this year. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

At a time when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) appears more occupied with survival than expansion, one leader seems determined not to disappear from public view. Whether it is the onion farmers' agitation, paper leak controversies, civic issues, allegations of money power in elections, or almost any issue capable of generating political traction, NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar is usually there.

The question is not whether he is active. The question is why.

Is Rohit Pawar genuinely emerging as the most energetic Opposition leader in Maharashtra? Or is he simply occupying a vacuum created by an Opposition that appears fragmented, cautious, and often absent from the political battlefield?

The question has become more relevant because visibility matters in modern politics. The leader who is seen often becomes the leader who is heard. And at a time when the Opposition's collective voice appears weak, Rohit Pawar's individual voice appears unusually loud.

Interestingly, Pawar himself may have offered a clue to his political approach.

During a conversation with journalists in the Vidhan Bhavan complex, he was once asked whether he would raise a particular issue inside the legislature. His response was telling. Pawar replied, "Where is the Opposition allowed to speak?" before suggesting that the real battle now lies in the court of public opinion rather than inside the House.

That statement says much about both his politics and the current state of the Opposition.

For decades, Opposition leaders measured their effectiveness through speeches in the Assembly, legislative interventions, and debates on the floor of the House. Pawar appears to have adopted a different model. His politics is increasingly centred outside the legislature and among the people. Whether by choice or necessity, he seems to believe that protests, public campaigns, and media attention generate greater impact than speeches inside the Assembly.
That strategy has certainly ensured visibility.

From students upset over examination irregularities to farmers angry over falling onion prices, Pawar has consistently tried to place himself at the centre of public issues. Even his recent remarks alleging that money was changing hands ahead of the MLC elections ensured that the conversation remained alive for another news cycle.

But does visibility automatically translate into leadership?

That is where the debate begins.

Supporters argue that he is doing what an Opposition leader is supposed to do - raise issues, challenge the government, and remain among the people. They point out that many senior Opposition leaders are busy rebuilding their organisations after the Shiv Sena and NCP splits, leaving a vacuum that younger leaders must fill.

Critics see a different picture. They argue that there is a fine line between Opposition politics and perpetual campaigning. Being present at every protest may create headlines, but does it create political capital? Does it strengthen an organisation? More importantly, does it convince voters that a leader is ready for larger responsibilities?

These questions are particularly relevant because Maharashtra has never lacked leaders who could dominate headlines. What has often separated successful leaders from the rest is their ability to build durable political structures.

The Shiv Sena under Bal Thackeray was more than a charismatic leader. The BJP's rise was built on decades of organisational work. Even Sharad Pawar's political influence extended beyond speeches and protests to a carefully cultivated network across the state.

That is the benchmark any aspiring leader must eventually meet.

For Rohit Pawar, the challenge is even more interesting because of his surname. For decades, Maharashtra politics has had one "Dada" in the Pawar family - Ajit Pawar. The title represented authority, influence, and administrative control. Today, supporters increasingly refer to Rohit Pawar as "Rohit Dada". The comparison may be premature, but politics thrives on symbolism.

Is Maharashtra witnessing the emergence of another Dada from the Pawar clan? Or is this simply the natural rise of a younger politician trying to establish himself in a changing political landscape?

The answer is not yet clear.

What is clear, however, is that Rohit Pawar has identified an opportunity. As the Opposition struggles to define itself after a series of political setbacks, he has stepped into the spotlight. Whether by design or circumstance, he has become one of the most visible faces challenging the ruling Mahayuti government.

The real test, however, lies ahead. Raising questions is easier than answering them. Leading protests is easier than governing. If political equations change tomorrow and greater responsibilities come his way, voters will judge him not by the number of agitations he led but by the solutions he can provide.

For now, Rohit Pawar remains an interesting political story. He may be filling a leadership vacuum. He may be building a personal brand. He may even be laying the foundation for a larger role in Maharashtra politics.

Or perhaps he is simply the loudest voice in an Opposition that has yet to find its collective one.

Either way, he has succeeded in ensuring that people are asking the question.

Sanjeev Shivadekar is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @SanjeevShivadek

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The views expressed in this column are the individual's and don't represent those of the paper