There is incidental symmetry in Supriya Sule’s decision to file her nomination papers for Rajya Sabha. With this decision, the line of succession in Sharad Pawar’s National Congress Party has been made clear. Like Sule, his only child, Pawar too was 38 when he made a most emphatic statement about his political ambitions, by attaining chief ministership of Maharashtra. More significantly, Sule’s consequent relocation to New Delhi could mark a new turn — even a consolidation — in Pawar’s own career.

Predictably, Pawar’s detractors have drawn attention to his virulent criticism of dynastic politics. But he has restricted himself to the Nehru-Gandhis. And that criticism draws not from any political rationale, but more from his sustained belief that his ambitions have been thwarted at various points by the Gandhis.

Sule appeared on the scene just about two years ago. Till then there was little indication that she would be ‘heir apparent’ to the ‘Saheb’, as Pawar is affectionately called by his followers. He too never projected her. Her forte was thought to be social and educational work. And that is what she busied herself with, though she did assist him on the sidelines.

There was no mystery about Supriya Sule, nor any great curiosity. There were no controversies, nor page three glamour, till she entered the public domain on her own terms. In just a year she became the talk of the town. Clearly there was some broad strategy and media plan in this. Yet, initially she appeared uncertain and even refused to talk politics. Pawar, too, did not entertain any conversation about her with the press or with senior colleagues. But slowly it began to dawn on the media and then the partymen that the debut was just a matter of time.

... contd.