Maharashtra politics has long revolved around towering personalities. From Y.B. Chavan and Bal Thackeray to Sharad Pawar, the state’s political landscape has often been shaped by leaders whose personal charisma became synonymous with their parties. But Indian politics is entering a different era. Electoral victories today are no longer secured merely through legacy or symbolism; they increasingly depend on organisation, professional management and the ability to build institutions that outlast individuals.

The challenges witnessed in regional parties such as the Uddhav Sena after its split and the internal churn within the Trinamool Congress underline a larger political reality: charisma alone cannot sustain an organisation indefinitely. The parties that endure are those that prepare for leadership transitions before they become crises. They invest in systems, nurture the next generation, empower organisational structures and reassure workers that the party’s future does not depend on a single individual.

For the Nationalist Congress Party, this transition has become even more significant following the passing of Ajit Pawar. His demise created not only an emotional vacuum for party workers but also raised a larger political question: can the organisation move beyond dependence on one towering leader and evolve into a stronger institution? Increasingly, the answer appears to lie in the roles being played by Sunetra Pawar, Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar and the younger organisational leadership represented by Jay Pawar.

From Legacy Politics to Leadership Building

Sunetra Pawar’s public engagement since stepping into a larger political role has reflected an emphasis on continuity, accessibility and organisational cohesion rather than rhetorical politics. Whether through organisational meetings, outreach programmes or direct engagement with workers, she has sought to reinforce the governance-oriented political culture associated with Ajit Pawar. Rather than attempting to create a new political identity overnight, she appears focused on preserving the values that defined his leadership while giving confidence to the party’s rank and file.

One cannot overlook the personal dimension of this transition. The passing of Ajit Pawar was not merely the loss of one of Maharashtra’s most influential political leaders; for Sunetra Pawar and her family, it was the loss of a husband, a father and the person around whom both public and private life revolved. Yet, even while navigating profound personal grief under relentless public scrutiny, she chose not to retreat from public life. Instead, she stepped........

© The Statesman