The Fall of ‘Maha’ Chanakya, The Rise of Andhra’s

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar, known as Chanakya in shaping Maharashtra’s destiny, seems to have lost ground with his party losing its bastions. In comparison, neighbouring state CM and TDP supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu, also revered as Chanakya of Telugu states, has risen like a phoenix and made a comeback with a bang.

In the past, 84-year-old Sharad Pawar has been an influential strategist with the capacity to turn the tides when least expected, had lost his party identity to his nephew Ajit Pawar, with the Supreme Court failing to identify his party as the real NCP.

The veteran politician failed to strategise to register victory for his party from Baramati, even after winning against his nephew in the Lok Sabha polls.

In the Lok Sabha, Sharad Pawar’s daughter Supriya Sule clinched victory against Ajit Pawar’s wife but in the Assembly polls, Ajit Pawar registered victory.

Besides, Western Maharashtra, comprising 70 Assembly seats across six districts, a Congress-NCP bastion historically, was also dominated by the Mahayuti in 41 of the seats and Opposition MVA in 11.

In addition, Sharad Pawar’s increasing age seems to have taken a toll on him both physically and mentally.

In the case of Chandrababu Naidu, the recent Assembly elections proved successful for him. He could restore the lost glory to his party, fulfil his vow to return to the Assembly only as a Chief Minister and at the same time, patch up with Modi-led BJP at the Centre.

The YCP’s landslide victory in 2019 threw the TDP in doldrums and Naidu absolutely had no clue how to claw back to prominence. The continuous harassment meted out to his party men by the ruling YCP men and frequent humiliation by the loudmouths in the rival party drained out his energy.

Several prominent TDP leaders switched sides and joined the YCP in insulting Naidu.

In addition to the existing turmoil, Naidu was also arrested and lodged in jail during the crucial campaigning period.

Despite the anxious and chaotic atmosphere, the TDP boss remained calm and designed strategy to wrest power from the YCP, even when he was a septuagenarian.

Usually, ageing is associated with depleting energy and dwindling activity but Naidu is showcasing a turnaround of the belief.