Baramati Assembly Seat Contest: Ajit Pawar Faces Off Against Nephew Yugendra Pawar

The political scene in Baramati has intensified as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, filed their nominations for the assembly seat. Ajit Pawar, a seven-time MLA, led a grand rally, greeting supporters from an open vehicle. In contrast, Yugendra's nomination was more subdued, with only Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule accompanying him.

Yugendra began his day by offering prayers at Kanheri village, located 12 km from Baramati. He then visited Aamrai, the Pawars' ancestral home, where Ajit and his siblings spent much of their childhood. "There are so many memories attached to this place," Sule shared with reporters. Meanwhile, Yugendra's father, Srinivas Pawar, has been vocal against Ajit for leaving Sharad Pawar's side during the NCP split last year.

Political Dynamics and Family Ties

Ajit Pawar had joined the Eknath Shinde government along with eight other MLAs, defying Sharad Pawar's wishes. Srinivas also criticised Ajit for fielding his wife Sunetra against Sule in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Sule had previously defeated Sunetra by over 1.5 lakh votes. Yugendra expressed gratitude for Sharad Pawar's support during his nomination process.

Yugendra stated, "After so many years, Pawar saheb, who used to file his own nomination papers, came to file mine. I am fortunate to have him by my side." He emphasised the importance of having experienced leaders like Sharad Pawar backing him. Yugendra aims to tackle issues such as unemployment, inflation, water scarcity, and crimes against women.

Historical Context and Voter Dynamics

Sharad Pawar reminisced about filing his nomination papers 57 years ago and highlighted the strong bond he shares with Baramati's people. He advised young candidates to maintain this connection and accept electoral outcomes with humility. Ajit Pawar remains confident of his support in Baramati, recalling his victory over BJP's Gopichand Padalkar in 2019 by a margin of 1.67 lakh votes.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sule secured a lead of 47,000 votes over Sunetra from the Baramati segment. The constituency has 3,77,757 voters, with approximately 1.86 lakh being women. Ajit believes this support will continue in the upcoming elections.

The political landscape in Baramati is shaped by family ties and historical loyalties. As the election approaches, both Ajit and Yugendra aim to secure their positions while addressing pressing local issues. The outcome will depend on how well they connect with voters and address their concerns effectively.