India, Nov. 24 -- The NCP, a party that Sharad Pawar formed by breaking away from the Indian National Congress in the year1999, began to loosen earlier this year. Some trace it to a curious incident that signalled the rise of Ajit Pawar within the party this April. Pawar was all set to contest the Madha Lok Sabha seat when, strangely, he withdrew his candidature. The veteran leader had made a rule that not more than two people from his clan would contest a Lok Sabha election. The rule was widely taken to mean Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule would continue to represent the party in Delhi. However, Ajit Pawar's son Parth insisted on contesting the election from Maval constituency that he eventually lost by 1.5 lakh votes.

Pawar had no ...