The Baramati constituency, long considered a stronghold of the Pawar family, witnessed a high-stakes electoral battle between the two women. Supriya Sule, a seasoned politician and daughter of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar, successfully defended her seat, securing it for the fourth consecutive time by a significant margin of 158,000 votes. Sunetra Pawar, running on behalf of the NCP faction led by her husband, faced a significant defeat, marking a rare moment of internal conflict within the influential Pawar family.
Ajit Pawar's comments come at a time when he is undertaking the "Jan Samman Yatra," a statewide tour designed to drum up support ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. While discussing the electoral battle, he remarked that the decision to field Sunetra was made by the NCP parliamentary board, but he now believes that it was the wrong choice. He reiterated his commitment to family unity, emphasizing that personal relationships should not be strained by political ambitions.
This change in tone from Ajit Pawar, who had previously been a key figure in the internal power struggle within the NCP, is noteworthy. The internal conflict within the party had escalated when Ajit Pawar, along with a group of MLAs, broke away from Sharad Pawar's leadership to join the ruling Mahayuti coalition. This split had significant ramifications for the party, leading to legal battles over the party's name and symbol.
As the NCP gears up for the upcoming state elections, Ajit Pawar's comments reflect a strategic shift aimed at consolidating support within the party and among voters. The "Jan Samman Yatra" is a critical component of this strategy, with Pawar engaging directly with citizens across Maharashtra to highlight the government's achievements and the NCP's role in implementing key welfare schemes.
The political dynamics within the Pawar family and the NCP continue to be a focal point in Maharashtra's political landscape. Ajit Pawar's recent statements suggest a desire to move beyond the internal conflicts that have marked the party's recent history and to focus on broader electoral goals. However, the impact of these developments on the party's fortunes in the upcoming elections remains to be seen.