Early Life and Education
Supriya Sule was born on June 30, 1969, in Pune, Maharashtra. She is the daughter of Sharad Pawar, the founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). She completed her SSC from St. Columba School, Gamdevi, and later graduated with a B.Sc. degree in microbiology from Jai Hind College, Mumbai.
Political Career
Supriya Sule is a prominent member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). She has held various significant positions throughout her political career:
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha: Representing the Baramati constituency since 2009.
Leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) in the Lok Sabha: Since February 7, 2024.
National Working President of the Nationalist Congress Party: Since June 1, 2024.
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha: Represented Maharashtra from September 18, 2006, to May 31, 2009.
Major Achievements
Supriya Sule’s achievements reflect her deep commitment to improving the lives of her constituents. She has successfully advocated for better healthcare, education, and agricultural policies in Maharashtra, particularly in rural areas. In Parliament, she has been recognized for her efforts to promote women’s empowerment, focusing on gender equality, and her work on legislative committees.
Her dedication to women’s rights has extended beyond legislative work, with initiatives aimed at empowering women through skill development and education. Her advocacy for farmers’ welfare is evident in the various schemes and policies she has supported, aiming to improve agricultural productivity and rural infrastructure.
Key Political Initiatives
The Pustak Doot Yojana, launched by Supriya Sule, aims to promote literacy and reading among students, especially in rural Maharashtra. Key features include:
- Book Distribution: Provides a diverse range of books to enhance students’ reading habits.
- Mobile Library: Volunteers, known as “Pustak Doots,” deliver books directly to students in remote areas.
- Community Engagement: Encourages local involvement to foster a sense of educational responsibility.
This initiative highlights Sule’s commitment to making education more accessible. For more information, visit (Pustak Doot Yojana).
NCP MP Supriya Sule has introduced the Breast Cancer (Awareness and Free Treatment) Bill, 2017, to provide free treatment for women suffering from breast cancer in government hospitals. The bill, which emphasizes awareness and access to medical screening, reflects concerns about the rising incidence of breast cancer in India, with one in 28 women likely to be affected. Sule called for a collaborative effort between central and state governments to implement these provisions. (New Indian Express)
NCP MP Supriya Sule has raised concerns about inadequate infrastructure in the villages near Pune’s IT hub, emphasizing the need to integrate these areas into the municipal corporation. This initiative aims to alleviate population pressure and improve the quality of life for residents. During her interaction with locals from Maan and Marunji, Sule highlighted the urgent requirement for comprehensive development initiatives to manage rapid urbanization in these regions. (Pune News)
Contributions to Indian Politics
In 2012, under the leadership of Sule, the wing named Rashtravadi Yuvati Congress was formed to give platform to young girls in politics. For past several months, several rallies have been organised all over Maharashtra which focused on female fetus abortion, dowry system and women empowerment in general.
Questions raised
Supriya Sule, an MP from the Nationalist Congress Party, expressed concerns in the Lok Sabha about digital payment apps like Google Pay and PhonePe, referring to them as “ticking time bombs.” She highlighted alarming issues related to Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) that could indicate money laundering. Sule questioned the government’s measures to address these risks, especially following the RBI’s directive to PPBL to cease accepting deposits after February. (NDTV)
NCP MP Supriya Sule has raised alarms about pollution in water bodies supplying drinking water to her Baramati constituency, which is impacting citizens’ health. She highlighted that the Khadakwasla and Ujjani dams, crucial for the water needs of Pune city, are increasingly polluted. Sule informed Union Environment Minister Bhupinder Yadav of the urgent need for measures to address the pollution affecting these water sources. (Indian Express)
Social Media and Public Engagement
Personal Life
Supriya Sule is married to Sadanand Sule, a businessman, and they have two children. Despite the demands of her political career, she is known for balancing her personal and public life. She maintains a relatively low-profile personal life, focusing on her work while keeping her family away from the political limelight.
Controversies
Saree Remarks: During a public event, Sule made comments about women wearing sarees, which were perceived as sexist. This sparked backlash, with many criticizing her for trivializing women’s issues and reinforcing stereotypes (Hindustan Times)
Baramati MP Supriya Sule has threatened to take legal action if Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar does not release District Planning Development Committee (DPDC) funds for the Baramati and Shirur constituencies. During a media interaction, she emphasized that the funds are essential for the development of their areas and would benefit the local population. Sule had previously written to Pawar requesting the timely release of these funds for developmental projects. (TOI)
Videos and Interviews