Ajit Pawar Takes Responsibility for NCP Defeat in Baramati as Supriya Sule Emerges Victorious

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In a surprising turn of events, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar took full responsibility for the NCP’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls. The defeat in Baramati, considered a prestige battle, left many stunned. Ajit Pawar, addressing a press conference after a meeting with his party MLAs, emphasized that all legislators were firmly standing by him, dispelling rumors of potential defections to an opposing faction. He firmly stated that he has always had the support of the people and reassured that his MLAs and MLCs have pledged their allegiance to him.

Regarding the defeat in Baramati, where sitting MP Supriya Sule defeated his wife Sunetra Pawar by a significant margin, Ajit Pawar expressed his surprise at the outcome, claiming he had the support of the people in the region. When asked about a potential reconciliation with NCP founder Sharad Pawar, he declined to discuss family matters publicly, accepting responsibility for the election setback instead. The NCP president acknowledged the need for a thorough introspection into the party’s performance, citing several reasons such as the shift of Muslim support away from the ruling alliance, allegations of Constitutional changes by the Opposition alienating certain communities, and the ongoing Maratha quota unrest in Marathwada. Ajit Pawar further mentioned discussions with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to strategize on regaining public support.

The conversation also touched on Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis’s hint at resigning post-election, with talks scheduled for a meeting in Delhi the next day. Ajit Pawar addressed concerns raised by party MLC Amol Mitkari regarding internal sabotage, attributing the loss in Baramati and Shirur to collective shortcomings. Despite the setbacks, he acknowledged the historical context of defections in Maharashtra, dating back to 1978 when Sharad Pawar himself became chief minister following a similar move. The NCP witnessed a split last year when Ajit Pawar and eight MLAs aligned with the Shinde government, showcasing the fractious nature of politics in the region.