Maharashtra Polls: Ajit Pawar Files Nomination, To Contest Against Sharad Pawar's Grandson In Baramati

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has submitted his nomination for the Baramati assembly seat. His nephew, Yugendra Pawar, is also contesting from the same constituency as an NCP-SP candidate. This election will witness another Pawar family face-off after Supriya Sule defeated Sunetra Pawar in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year.

Ajit Pawar, who split from the NCP in June 2023, expressed confidence in his roadshow before filing his nomination. He stated, "Everyone has the right to contest. Whenever any candidate is fielded against me I take them as a strong candidate and campaign accordingly. This time too the people of Baramati will elect me and I have faith in them."

Family Dynamics in Baramati

Yugendra Pawar shared his thoughts on competing against his uncle, Ajit Pawar. He remarked that it is both sad and unfortunate to contest against a family member who has won this seat seven times. Despite this, he believes that staying with Sharad Pawar, the NCP founder and family patriarch, was a collective family decision.

Yugendra further commented on the upcoming election battle: "I don't think it will be tough but I don't even think that it will be easy either. But initially Pawar Sahab was supporting Ajit Pawar, we fondly call him Dada but people of Baramati in large numbers are behind Pawar Sahab and that is what they showed in Lok Sabha. They will show this in the upcoming assembly as well as other elections also."

Upcoming Maharashtra Assembly Elections

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are set for November 20, with results expected on November 23 for all 288 constituencies. In previous elections, BJP secured 105 seats in 2019 and 122 seats in 2014. The Shiv Sena won 56 seats in 2019 and 63 seats in 2014, while Congress obtained 44 seats in 2019 and 42 seats in 2014.

This election season promises intense competition within the Pawar family at Baramati. Both Ajit and Yugendra are vying for support from their constituents amidst complex family dynamics and political alliances.