Yugendra Pawar vs. Ajit Pawar: Who Will Win in Baramati?

The Baramati constituency in Maharashtra is set for a potential showdown between Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his nephew Yugendra Pawar in the upcoming Assembly elections. The faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Sharad Pawar has officially nominated Yugendra Pawar as its candidate against Ajit Pawar in Baramati. This constituency remains a key battleground in Maharashtra politics, with the Pawar family feud taking center stage in election campaigns.

Ajit Pawar has been the Baramati MLA since 1991, securing victories in every election and holding various significant ministerial positions appointed by Sharad Pawar. The pressing question is whether Ajit will step aside for his nephew.

Who is Yugendra Pawar?

Yugendra Pawar, 32, is the grandnephew of Sharad Pawar and the son of Shrinivas Pawar, Ajit Pawar's brother. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University in Boston. Reports suggest that he is very close to Sharad Pawar and has been preparing for a political career under his guidance.

In addition, Yugendra serves as the Treasurer of Vidya Pratishtan, an educational institution founded by Sharad Pawar. He played a crucial role in campaigning for Supriya Sule during the Lok Sabha elections, while his father, Shrinivas, openly criticized Ajit for aligning with the Mahayuti government and distancing himself from Sharad Pawar.

Baramati Lok Sabha Contest

In the Lok Sabha elections, Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, contested against Supriya Sule from Baramati but ultimately lost. This family feud intensified following Ajit Pawar's defection in July 2023, contributing to Sunetra's defeat and further straining family ties. In the Baramati parliamentary constituency in Pune district, Sunetra Pawar received 573,979 votes, while her sister-in-law and NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule secured 732,312 votes.