Since the NCP’s inception in 1999, Ajit Pawar remained a confidant of his mentor, Sharad Pawar. However, while Ajit Pawar had been active in politics since 1991, Supriya Sule entered Parliament in 2006. The tension over who would be Sharad Pawar's political heir ultimately led to Ajit Pawar’s rebellion and the formation of a separate faction in June 2023. Furthermore, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar fielded his wife, Sunetra Pawar, from Baramati despite advice from the BJP leadership against it. Furthermore, the leadership of Supriya Sule is reportedly not acceptable to the veterans of the Ajit Pawar camp.