In a significant announcement ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been confirmed as the official candidate from Baramati. This was revealed by Praful Patel, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)’s national working president, during a press conference on Tuesday.
Patel stated, “I officially declare that our party chief will be the official candidate from Baramati. This is the first seat I am announcing.” The declaration has put an end to weeks of speculation about whether Ajit Pawar would continue his long-standing association with Baramati or contest from a different constituency.
Ajit Pawar’s candidacy comes at a time when his faction of the NCP has been facing challenges. In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the faction secured only one out of four seats. Baramati, in particular, was a hotly contested seat. His cousin, Supriya Sule, emerged victorious in the Baramati constituency, defeating Ajit’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, with a large margin. This loss was a personal setback for Ajit Pawar and raised concerns within the party about the NCP’s future in the region.
Reflecting on the election outcome, Ajit Pawar acknowledged that it was a mistake to involve family members in political rivalries. “Politics should not have been brought into the family,” he admitted in a recent interview, referencing his decision to field his wife against his cousin. During a public rally, Ajit had also expressed disinterest in contesting from Baramati, sparking speculation that his son, Jay Pawar, might enter the race instead.
There were also rumors that Ajit Pawar might explore contesting from other constituencies, such as Hadapsar or Shirur. However, the confirmation of his candidacy from Baramati has reignited political intrigue, particularly regarding whom Sharad Pawar, NCP’s founder, will field in the constituency. It is speculated that Yugendra Pawar, Ajit’s nephew, has been gaining political traction in Baramati, setting the stage for a potential uncle-versus-nephew contest in the upcoming elections.
