The Pawars: A Family Divided and a Battle for Baramati
In the world of Indian politics, the Pawar family has been a prominent name for decades. However, a recent turn of events has led to a bitter prestige battle between Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Sharad Pawar, for the family stronghold of Baramati.
Ajit Pawar’s Decision to Split
Ajit Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, recently made headlines when he announced his decision to part ways with his uncle and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder, Sharad Pawar. In a public rally in Indapur, Ajit Pawar stated that he should have split from his uncle in 2004 when the NCP did not take up the CM’s post despite winning more seats than the Congress in Maharashtra.
As the Lok Sabha election results 2024 poured in, it became clear that Supriya Sule, the NCP (SP) candidate, was headed for a landslide victory in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. With a massive margin of over 66,000 votes, Sule proved that the Pawar family’s stronghold on the constituency remains unshaken.
Sharad Pawar, the NCP’s national chief and Sule’s father, expressed his confidence in the Baramatikars’ loyalty, stating that they have remained faithful to the family for the past 60 years. “I know the mindset of Baramatikars for 60 years. They have remained loyal to us. Therefore, I was confident that they would remain loyal this time too and show the right path to those who have chosen the wrong path,” Pawar said.
The initial rounds of counting saw Ajit Pawar-led NCP’s Sunetra Pawar leading, but Sule soon took over and maintained a comfortable lead. The Baramati Assembly constituency gave Sule a lead of 35,000 votes at the end of the 15th round.
Pawar attributed his daughter’s victory to the special bond she shares with the people of Baramati, saying, “I have a special bond with people of Baramati which they have once again proved… I was keen to know what happens in Baramati. The voters have lived up to my expectations.”
The NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, conceded defeat, with spokesperson Umesh Patil stating that the emotional attachment of the voters to “Pawar saheb” ultimately won the day for Sule. Patil praised Sunetra Pawar’s campaign efforts, saying she put up a solid fight despite it being her first election.
Vithal Maniyar, a long-time friend of Sharad Pawar, expressed his confidence in Sule’s victory, saying, “I never had any doubt about Supriya’s victory. I never ever imagine that Baramatikars will stray away from Pawar saheb and his family.”
The Baramati election was widely seen as a battle between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar for supremacy over the constituency. However, Maniyar believes that Sharad Pawar will remain unaffected by the victory or defeat, saying, “Sharad Pawar will remain unaffected by victory or defeat. After every big event, whether it is a failure or success, he starts new innings with renewed vigour.”
Sule’s victory marks her fourth term as MP from the constituency, and it’s clear that the Pawar family’s grip on Baramati remains strong. As the dust settles on the Lok Sabha election results 2024, one thing is certain – the people of Baramati have spoken, and they have chosen to stand by the Pawar family.
The Supreme Court’s Intervention
The battle for Baramati has taken an interesting turn with the Supreme Court’s intervention. The court has asked Ajit Pawar to not “ride piggyback” on his uncle’s popularity to get votes. The court has also asked both factions to issue public notices clarifying their respective positions after the Ajit Pawar faction broke away from the NCP to join the coalition government in Maharashtra.
Conclusion
The battle for Baramati is a prime example of how family dynamics can play a significant role in Indian politics. With Ajit Pawar’s decision to part ways with his uncle, the family stronghold is now up for grabs, and the battle has become a matter of prestige for both sides. As the battle unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the people of Baramati respond and who will ultimately emerge victorious.