In Pics: Pawar turns 85 – glimpse into the NCP (SP) chief’s political journey

Updated On: 13 December, 2025 08:17 AM IST | Anushree Gaikwad

Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and Rajya Sabha MP, celebrates his 85th birthday on December 12, reflecting a remarkable five-decade political career marked by Maharashtra leadership, Union ministerial roles, electoral victories, and enduring prominence in Indian politics. Here are some snapshots showing his political journey. (PICS: Mid-day archives, X)

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Sharad Pawar with late former PM Atal Vihari Vajpayee, former PM Manmohan Singh, and former Deputy PM Lal Krishna Advani. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

<p>Veteran leader and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar was born on December 12, 1940. A stalwart of Indian politics, Pawar has a vast experience that spans over 50 years of public service. PIC/ Mid-Day archives </p>

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Veteran leader and NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar was born on December 12, 1940. A stalwart of Indian politics, Pawar has a vast experience that spans over 50 years of public service. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

<p>In November 2019, Sharad Pawar rewrote history when he went on to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The MVA is a post-poll alliance in Maharashtra between Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, and Indian National Congress. PIC/ Mid-Day archives </p>

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In November 2019, Sharad Pawar rewrote history when he went on to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The MVA is a post-poll alliance in Maharashtra between Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party, and Indian National Congress. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

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Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray along with NCP chief. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

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Pawar with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray PIC/ Mid-Day archives

<p>From not losing a single Assembly or Lok Sabha election since 1967 to being the Chief Minister of Maharashtra thrice - 1978-1980, 1988-1991 and 1993-1995, Sharad Pawar has carved a name for himself in Indian politics. PIC/ Mid-Day archives </p>

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From not losing a single Assembly or Lok Sabha election since 1967 to being the Chief Minister of Maharashtra thrice - 1978-1980, 1988-1991 and 1993-1995, Sharad Pawar has carved a name for himself in Indian politics. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

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Sharad Pawar formed the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999, after separating from the Indian National Congress. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

<p>Sharad Pawar eats a piece of cake from his wife Pratibha`s hand as his granddaughter Revati looks on during his 61st birthday celebration. PIC/ Mid-Day archives </p>

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Sharad Pawar eats a piece of cake from his wife Pratibha`s hand as his granddaughter Revati looks on during his 61st birthday celebration. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

<p>Sharad Pawar was born in Baramati, in Pune district. He studied in a college in Pune and earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce. Sharad Pawar married Pratibha Shinde in 1967; they have a daughter, Supriya (in photo), who is a sitting MP from the Baramati constituency in Lok Sabha. PIC/ Mid-Day archives </p>

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Sharad Pawar was born in Baramati, in Pune district. He studied in a college in Pune and earned a bachelor’s degree in commerce. Sharad Pawar married Pratibha Shinde in 1967; they have a daughter, Supriya (in photo), who is a sitting MP from the Baramati constituency in Lok Sabha. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

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Sharad Pawar with his daughter Supriya and sitting beside singer Lata Mangeshkar and Indian businessman Ratan Tata. PIC/ X

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Opening of MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum in Mumbai on October 19 PIC/ ANUSHREE GAIKWAD

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Pawar with Indian cricketer Sunil Gawaskar during the opening of MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum. PIC/ ANUSHREE GAIKWAD

<p>Sharad Pawar, during his tenure as the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Haroon Lorgat, who was the ICC chief executive, at a function at the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai PIC/ Mid-Day archives </p>

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Sharad Pawar, during his tenure as the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) with Haroon Lorgat, who was the ICC chief executive, at a function at the Bombay Stock Exchange in Mumbai PIC/ Mid-Day archives

<p>Pawar presents a bouquet to the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi on July 19, 2009. PIC/ Mid-Day archives </p>

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Pawar presents a bouquet to the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi on July 19, 2009. PIC/ Mid-Day archives

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Pawar with his daugther and wife (right) Pratibha Pawar. PIC/ X

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In Pics: Pawar turns 85 – glimpse into the NCP (SP) chief’s political journey

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Photo of Day

Breaking barriers and building pyramids — Women power in action!