Pawar vs Pawar In Maharashtra
Mumbai: The contest for Baramati in Maharashtra has seen NCP’s Ajit Pawar taking a significant lead over his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, who is also affiliated with the NCP led by Sharad Pawar. As of 12:08 PM, Ajit Pawar had garnered over 38,000 more votes than Yugendra, who is making his electoral debut and is the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar.
This election is particularly crucial for the 65-year-old Ajit Pawar, who separated from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP last year to join the ruling coalition of BJP and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde). His wife, Sunetra Pawar, previously lost to his cousin Supriya Sule in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat earlier this year, making this contest even more significant. Baramati is traditionally a stronghold for the Pawar family.
The Maharashtra Assembly elections represent a critical moment for both factions of the NCP, as they seek to demonstrate their voter support. The Lok Sabha elections were disappointing for Ajit Pawar’s faction, which secured only one out of the four contested seats. In contrast, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP performed strongly, winning eight out of ten constituencies, thus establishing itself as the party with the highest strike rate in the state.
This impressive performance led the Sharad Pawar faction to assert its identity as the true NCP, despite the Ajit Pawar faction retaining the original party name and symbol. However, in the months following the Lok Sabha results in June, the ruling Mahayuti coalition appears to have gained traction, aided by initiatives such as the Ladki Bahin yojana, making the competition between the two NCP factions much more competitive this time around. Prior to the Assembly elections, Ajit Pawar acknowledged that it was a misstep to have his wife contest against Supriya Sule, yet he expressed confidence in securing his own seat with “100 percent” certainty.
It was my error to have her compete against Supriya Sule, a point I have reiterated multiple times. That matter is now concluded. The election in Maharashtra is scheduled for November 20, and it is the voters who will determine the future leadership of the state for the next five years. Our focus is primarily on that, Mr. Pawar conveyed to NDTV. Yugendra Pawar, aged 32 and making his political debut in these elections, expressed regret over contesting against his uncle.
“This situation is regrettable, but our family collectively decided to support Pawar sahab (Sharad Pawar) as he is the founder of the NCP. He is the family’s patriarch, and it is due to his leadership that not only Baramati but the surrounding areas have thrived,” the younger Pawar stated.
‘Time For A New Generation’
Sharad Pawar also passionately advocated for his grandnephew, asserting that it is time for a new generation to assume leadership. “In 1967, you elected me as the MLA from Baramati. I subsequently became a minister and then the chief minister. Following that, Ajit dada was given the chance to represent the new generation. He served for 20 to 25 years. The party provided him with opportunities,” the 83-year-old remarked to voters in Baramati.
“He held the position of deputy chief minister not just once, but three times (in Congress-NCP administrations). He performed his duties well, and I have no grievances. However, we must consider what comes next. Initially, it was my generation, then Ajit dada’s, and now it is time for the next generation, represented by Yugendra Pawar,” the Rajya Sabha MP concluded.
