After suffering a significant setback in the recent Lok Sabha polls, where his faction of the NCP secured only one seat, Ajit Pawar has emerged with a new public persona ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections and Maharashtra Legislative Council polls.

On Tuesday, the NCP national president visited Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple, where he participated in the “abhishek” ceremony alongside party leader Praful Patel. Earlier, on Sunday, he personally welcomed the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi, part of the Pandharpur pilgrimage, to his hometown of Baramati. Fulfilling his promise in the Assembly to walk with the pilgrims (or ‘warkaris’) as they passed through Baramati, the Deputy Chief Minister joined them dressed traditionally, accompanied by his wife Sunetra. Along the way, he played traditional musical instruments carried by the devotees.

These displays of religious devotion from Ajit, a seasoned politician deeply rooted in these regions, are seen as uncommon by party insiders.

Even the budget he presented recently in the Assembly as Finance Minister included a provision of Rs 20,000 for each “dindi” (group of pilgrims) participating in the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj and Sant Tukaram Maharaj palkhis to Pandharpur.

These efforts by Ajit follow the Lok Sabha elections, where the NCP not only finished last among the six major parties but also saw his wife Sunetra lose the prestigious Baramati seat to Supriya Sule, led by NCP’s Sharad Pawar.

In the upcoming Legislative Council elections for 11 seats on July 12, the NCP has nominated two candidates. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition has countered with three nominees, aiming to secure the necessary votes from the Mahayuti coalition to win a third seat.

The Mahayuti coalition, especially Ajit’s NCP, remains vulnerable after its poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls. Despite winning only one seat out of the four contested, the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) managed to secure eight out of its allocated ten seats, gaining an upper hand in the ongoing political rivalry between the two factions.

NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil dismissed concerns about potential cross-voting, stating that their MLAs visited Siddhivinayak Temple as a routine act of seeking blessings. He affirmed that none of Ajit’s faction MLAs would defect, asserting confidence in their unity ahead of the Assembly elections later this year.

Speaking after his temple visit, Ajit stated his intention to commence campaigning for the Assembly elections soon, having sought blessings from Lord Ganesh beforehand.

The NCP has also denied allegations of sequestering its MLAs before the July 12 elections, emphasizing their trust in the integrity of their members.

Despite rumors of potential defections, the NCP remains steadfast in its preparations for the Assembly elections, banking on Ajit’s recent budgetary initiatives aimed at benefiting women in the state.

In response to claims about MLAs considering cross-voting, Rohit Pawar of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) indicated that several MLAs from Ajit’s faction were in contact with them. However, he clarified that any decision would be subject to Sharad Pawar’s approval.

Contrary to allegations of image rebranding, Umesh Patil affirmed that Ajit Pawar, already a prominent figure in Maharashtra, does not require any such makeover.

NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase observed that Ajit Pawar’s newfound religious fervor reflects concerns about maintaining party cohesion, particularly amid fears of potential defections.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut suggested that Ajit’s tactics stemmed from apprehensions about possible cross-voting in favor of MVA candidates, characterizing these actions as desperate measures.