Mentor-protege clashes unfold as loyalty & legacy are tested

Pune: For decades, if there was one man Sharad Pawar relied on for elections and to plan his campaigns, it was Dilip Walse Patil. He followed Pawar after he separated from Congress to form NCP in 1999 and was for long viewed as a Pawar loyalist. No wonder then that his defection to the Ajit Pawar faction following the split in NCP raised many eyebrows.
The assembly election will be a crucial test for Walse Patil, who has remained undefeated in Ambegaon since 1990. The consecutive victories also brought him several ministerial berths in the state cabinet; he is now minister of cooperation.
Despite representing Ambegaon constituency for seven consecutive terms, political analysts anticipate a formidable contest as Walse Patil endeavours to maintain his stronghold, while Devdatta Nikam of NCP (SP) campaigns for a new representative in this agrarian-rich belt in Pune district. Ironically, Walse Patil is seen as a mentor of sorts to Nikam.
Political consultant Seema Rao said Sharad Pawar is known as Walse Patil's mentor. "His father Govindrao was a staunch supporter of Pawar. He also represented Ambegaon. Dilip Walse Patil started his political journey as Pawar's assistant. Learning politics alongside him, Dilip entered Ambegaon and established his dominance there. This foundation helped him secure several ministerial positions. However, there has since been a twist in state politics."
To compound the challenge for Walse Patil, Pawar said at a rally on Thursday, "Those who betrayed us must be punished. Defeat these traitors and make Devdatta Nikam a legislator." He said Walse Patil has been telling people that their relationship is still strong but it is not true. Pawar said his wife Pratibha had broken a long tradition of visiting Walse Patil's house during her recent Bhimashankar temple trip. He said "nothing was left to discuss" and only "betrayal" remained.
Rao said, "Sharad Pawar is Dilip Walse Patil's mentor, while Nikam is Walse Patil's disciple. The outcome of this mentor-disciple clash is eagerly awaited by Ambegaon and the entire state. It currently appears to be a battle between Sharad Pawar and Walse Patil. Hence, at a rally in Manchar, Pawar directly appealed to the public for Walse Patil's defeat."
After Pawar's statement against him, Walse Patil broke his silence and said the decision to join BJP was made collectively by legislators and so, there was no question of betrayal. "It is not as significant as portrayed. I never betrayed anyone. So, why discuss it?"
For locals, water woes remain the biggest problem. Dimbhe dam in Ambegaon taluka is touted as one of the main reasons for Walse Patil's separation from Sharad Pawar. The water from this dam is planned to be diverted to Karjat-Jamkhed constituency through a tunnel, which is supported by Walse Patil. Villagers said those closest to the dam must get first rights to the irrigation water. Former sarpanch of Dimbhe, Parshuram Nikam, said, "Water for irrigation is a major challenge here. Even villages close to Dimbhe face problems. There is a lack of political will to supply water to villages near the dam. Everyone here is frustrated."
Many farmers support Nikam, who began his political journey as the sarpanch of Nagapur village. During this time, Walse Patil appointed him as chairman of Bhimashankar factory and made him chairman of Manchar APMC. Nikam also contested the Shirur LS seat in 2014 but was defeated by Shiv Sena's Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil.
Nikam said, "There are many problems here and people are looking for change. Water, development work and infrastructure works are at a standstill. Many villagers are reeling under water scarcity, but their voices are not heard."
A villager, Sadanand Patil, summed up the problems: "There are some villages that are facing severe drinking water scarcity. Tankers are doing the rounds frequently. Water is our priority; our work largely depends on the availability of water, and our demand has always been abundant water."
In the 2019 assembly elections, Walse Patil won with 1,26,120 votes, while his main opponent, Shiv Sena's Rajaram Bhivsen Bankhele, secured only 59,212 votes.