Rohit Pawar emerges as vocal NCP face, targets Maharashtra govt over scams

Amid speculation over whether Sharad Pawar's faction of the NCP will join hands with NCP(Ajit), Rohit Pawar has emerged as the most vocal critic of the Maharashtra government. Unlike senior NCP leaders who have largely adopted a cautious line, Rohit has been active in agitations and in exposing alleged scams involving ministers.

During the recent Assembly session, he stirred a controversy by posting a video on X showing Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate playing online rummy inside the House. The uproar eventually led to Kokate's removal from the agriculture portfolio. Earlier this month, when two Dalit students accused Pune police of harassment, Rohit extended his support. He has also held press conferences presenting what he calls evidence of corruption by ministers in the Shinde government.

While many senior leaders restrict themselves to brief comments, Rohit is consciously positioning himself as a grassroots politician willing to take on the grind. Party insiders say he is projecting an image of not being born with a "silver spoon" as he attempts to carve out a leadership role for the future.