'Some people not willing to quit even at 84': Ajit Pawar slams uncle Sharad over retirement

Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar took a dig at his uncle, Sharad Pawar, during a Thane event, highlighting the reluctance of some individuals, even in their 80s, to retire. “Employees of the Maharashtra government retire at the age of 58. But there are a few who, even after crossing 80 years of age and now 84, are not ready to retire,” said Ajit Pawar while addressing a gathering of party workers in Thane.

“We are here to work and we can perform,” Ajit Pawar said, adding that he joined the state government to serve the people. In a veiled warning to Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange-Patil, Ajit Pawar said nobody will be allowed to take law into his hands. “A debate on the Maratha community’s demand for reservation is underway. Some people talk of coming to Mumbai to raise their demand. Nobody will be spared if an attempt is made to take the law into their own hands. Nobody is above the law,” he added.

 Ajit Pawar's comments come in the wake of Sharad Pawar's previous statement asserting his vitality and the power to handle certain matters. In December 2023, Sharad Pawar, addressing a bullock-cart race event in Pune, emphasized that he has not grown old and still possesses the strength to address issues.

The rift within the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, marked by Ajit Pawar and others joining the Eknath Shinde government in 2023, continues to fuel tensions. Ajit Pawar's subtle dig at his uncle's age and the warning against lawlessness underscore the internal dynamics within the NCP.