Ground report Baramati: Who is stronger in Supriya Sule vs Sunetra Pawar contest?

Sitting MP Supriya Sule faces Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra in Baramati.

Amidst the political tumult of Maharashtra's Lok Sabha elections, the spotlight falls sharply on the Baramati constituency. Here, at the age of 83, Sharad Pawar, affectionately dubbed the "Lion of Baramati" by his supporters, faces a formidable challenge from his nephew, Ajit Pawar. The stage is set for a direct confrontation between Sharad Pawar's daughter, Supriya Sule, and Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar. Let's delve into the strengths and weaknesses of these two contenders.

Supriya Sule forayed into politics in 2006 as a Rajya Sabha member. Since 2009, she has been a consistent winner of Lok Sabha elections in Baramati, a seat previously held by her father since the early 1990s. Her tenure as a Lok Sabha member has been marked by commendable performance and vocal advocacy on various issues. In the current elections, she stands to benefit from the sympathy wave believed to be swelling in favor of her father following Ajit Pawar's revolt. Her eloquence and deep-rooted connections with the local populace further bolster her position. However, her prospects are shadowed by the looming anti-incumbency sentiment and the relentless onslaught from the ruling alliance, particularly the NCP and BJP, who have launched an aggressive campaign targeting her and Sharad Pawar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent rally remarks, subtly referencing Aaditya Thackeray and Supriya Sule, further underscore the challenges she faces.

Also read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Pawar's 1960 struggle echoes in Supriya Sule's duel with Sunetra Pawar

In contrast, Sunetra Pawar, Sule's challenger, is relatively new to the political arena. Apart from being Ajit Pawar's spouse, she lacks significant political credentials in Baramati. Not known for her oratory skills or media appearances, Sunetra nonetheless enjoys the advantage of Ajit Pawar's formidable influence in the region. With Sharad Pawar's pivot to national politics, Ajit Pawar assumed responsibility for NCP's affairs in the constituency. The loyalists of Ajit Pawar hold sway over key cooperative organizations, financial institutions, educational bodies, and local governing bodies. The Election Commission's recognition of Ajit Pawar's faction as the authentic NCP, symbolized by the clock, further consolidates Sunetra's position, while Sule contends under a new symbol, the Tutari blowing man. The BJP, which contested against the undivided NCP in 2019, has thrown its weight behind Sunetra Pawar in the current elections, with top leaders, including Prime Minister Modi, actively campaigning on her behalf.

Also read | Sharad Pawar to contest against Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar in Baramati, but there's a catch

In 2019, Vidhan Sabha polls, out of total six seats in the Lok Sabha constituency, two went to BJP, two to Congress and two to undivided NCP. The Congress and NCP fought those elections in an alliance and jointly won four seats. However, after the rebellion in the NCP, two MLAs won on the NCP tickets with one being Ajit Pawar himself. The altered political landscape, particularly the fallout from the NCP rebellion and the ensuing realignment of alliances, presents a favorable terrain for Sunetra Pawar. Tensions within the BJP- NCP-Sena (Mahayuti) alliance were palpable when Shiv Sena's Vijay Shivtare announced his independent candidacy, citing friction with Ajit Pawar. However, interventions from chief minister Eknath Shinde led to Shivtare's withdrawal, temporarily easing tensions.

Despite initial claims from both camps that political rivalry hasn't strained familial ties, their electoral campaigns paint a different picture. While the Ajit Pawar faction contends that Supriya Sule's marriage to Sadanand Sule has diluted her "Pawar" identity, the Sule camp remains resolute in its commitment to uphold their political legacy. As the electoral battle intensifies, Baramati braces itself for a showdown that could reshape the region's political landscape.