Ajit Pawar, the Maharashtra deputy chief minister, recently attributed his wife Sunetra’s defeat in the Baramati Lok Sabha election to a remark made by BJP leader Chandrakant Patil against his uncle, Sharad Pawar. Sunetra Pawar lost to sitting NCP MP Supriya Sule by a significant margin of 1,58,333 votes. This loss came as a surprise to Ajit Pawar, who expressed his displeasure over the impact of Patil’s statement on the election outcome.
During his party’s poor performance review after the polls, Pawar mentioned that the BJP’s intention to defeat Sharad Pawar in Baramati had a detrimental effect on their campaign. He emphasized that Sharad Pawar was not a candidate for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, making Patil’s statement inaccurate. In response to this, Patil was shifted to Pune for campaigning. Despite Ajit Pawar’s strong influence in Baramati, Supriya Sule’s victory highlighted the deep-rooted support for the Pawar family in the region.
The election results also reflected a broader trend, with NCP winning seven out of the ten seats it contested. Ajit Pawar’s leadership was put to the test as his NCP managed to secure only one seat out of the four contested. The electoral battles between Ajit’s NCP and Sharad Pawar’s NCP saw the latter emerging victorious with significant margins. This outcome underscored the enduring popularity and political acumen of Sharad Pawar, even at the age of 83.
The political dynamics within the Pawar family added a layer of complexity to the election scenario. Ajit Pawar’s confidence in managing the elections for his cousin Supriya Sule was not enough to secure victory for his wife. The support extended to Ajit from the party leadership in Baramati did not translate into electoral success, as demonstrated by Supriya Sule’s substantial lead in both votes and sentiment.
As Ajit Pawar navigates the fallout of the election defeat, cracks within the ruling coalition have started to surface. His absence from a crucial NDA meeting in Delhi reflected his dissatisfaction over the election outcome. The loss in Baramati highlighted the challenges faced by Ajit Pawar in maintaining his political standing within the coalition.
The aftermath of the Baramati election defeat has sparked recriminations within the NCP, with party members expressing disappointment over the lack of support from alliance partners. The defeat in a traditionally strong NCP bastion has raised questions about Ajit Pawar’s leadership and the future trajectory of the party within the coalition.
Overall, the Baramati Lok Sabha election outcome serves as a reality check for Ajit Pawar, underscoring the enduring influence of the Pawar family and the shifting political dynamics within Maharashtra’s political landscape.
