Baramati, a long-standing stronghold of the Pawar family, is facing an unexpected wave of uncertainty following remarks made by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP Chief, Ajit Pawar, at a public meeting on Sunday. In a startling revelation, Pawar expressed his serious consideration of not contesting from Baramati in the upcoming assembly elections.
Ajit Pawar, who has represented Baramati in both Parliament and the state assembly since 1991, declared at the meeting, “I am seriously thinking about whether to really contest from Baramati. In the recent elections, my party candidate lost the polls. If after all the development work that I have done for four decades and all the efforts I have taken for you yields this result for me, why should I contest from Baramati?”
His statement was met with immediate uproar from the audience, who passionately opposed the idea. Many supporters demanded that he reconsider, insisting that they would ensure his victory in the next assembly elections.
Pawar Family’s Stronghold in Baramati
Baramati has long been synonymous with the Pawar family’s political dominance. Sharad Pawar, the patriarch, along with his daughter Supriya Sule and nephew Ajit Pawar, has represented the constituency for over five decades. Ajit Pawar has held the Baramati assembly seat continuously since 1995, after serving as a Member of Parliament from the region between 1991 and 1995.
Speculation on Pawar’s Successor
Amid the brewing rumors, there is growing buzz that Ajit Pawar may be preparing to pass the torch to another member of the Pawar family. Recent reports suggest that Sharad Pawar could field his grandson, Yugendra Pawar, as the NCP candidate for the Baramati seat. This speculation follows Ajit Pawar’s earlier regret over asking his wife, Sunetra Pawar, to contest against his cousin, Supriya Sule, in the recent Lok Sabha elections. This move reportedly created a rift within the Pawar family, with Ajit publicly acknowledging the division and expressing guilt over it.
Division in the Pawar Family
During another rally in Gadchiroli, Ajit Pawar touched upon the sensitive issue of family divisions, citing that public sentiment turned against him after the split during the Lok Sabha polls. Reflecting on this, he stated, “People dislike those who divide families… The Pawar family stayed united for over 50 years until 2023 when I split the family.” This comment was seen as a direct reference to his decision to assert leadership over a faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a move that caused significant political upheaval.
What Lies Ahead for Ajit Pawar?
The Deputy Chief Minister’s revelation has sparked widespread debate in political circles. Many are questioning whether Ajit Pawar will genuinely withdraw from contesting the Baramati seat or shift focus to a different constituency. Meanwhile, the question of who will represent the NCP in Baramati remains unanswered, with many speculating that a member of the Pawar family, perhaps Yugendra Pawar, could step in.
While Ajit Pawar has yet to make a final decision, his comments have undoubtedly thrown the upcoming elections into a state of uncertainty, not only for Baramati but for the NCP’s political strategy in Maharashtra.