Battle for Baramati: Who holds the edge in Sharad Pawar vs Ajit Pawar encore?

Sharad Pawar (L) and Ajit Pawar

"My uncle Ajit Pawar won in past elections because he had blessings of my granduncle, Sharad Pawar. Today, I have those blessings. When the party fractured, I chose to align with Sharad Pawar because the people of Baramati stand firmly by him," Yugendra Pawar confidently told reporters. This statement came in response to queries about his optimism regarding the election results. He was addressing the media after casting his vote early in the morning.

In just five months, Baramati finds itself in the throes of yet another Pawar-versus-Pawar showdown. Both factions are appealing to the voters’ emotions, leaving them in a quandary as they deliberate over which family member to support. The complexity of this contest has thrust Baramati into the spotlight, making it the most talked-about constituency in Maharashtra.

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During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Baramati witnessed a high-stakes clash between Sharad Pawar's daughter, Supriya Sule, the sitting MP, and Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra. Despite a spirited campaign, Sunetra faced defeat as Supriya secured her fourth consecutive term. Following the loss, Ajit Pawar conceded that pitting family members against each other was a misstep. Yet, history seems to be repeating itself, with Ajit now squaring off against his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, who has been fielded by Sharad Pawar.

Ajit’s rebellion against Sharad Pawar and the subsequent party split created a rift within the family. Ajit's brother Shriniwas and nephew Yugendra chose to remain loyal to the elder statesman, Sharad. Initially, Ajit considered contesting from another constituency to avoid a direct face-off with Yugendra, but his supporters convinced him to take the plunge in Baramati itself.

At 32, Yugendra represents the third generation of the illustrious Pawar family to enter the political arena. Following the legacy of Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Parth Pawar, Rohit Pawar, and Sunetra Pawar, he is the seventh family member to step into electoral politics. Speculation about Yugendra’s political ambitions had been rife since he was seen alongside Sharad Pawar during the Lok Sabha campaigns. Both factions have infused the campaign with a familial touch, drawing senior family members into the fray.

This electoral battle is not merely a contest between Ajit and Yugendra; it is emblematic of the larger power struggle between Sharad Pawar and his nephew. For Ajit, this is a fight for political survival as his faction of the NCP faces an identity crisis. Despite holding the position of Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit’s faction managed to win just one seat, while Sharad Pawar’s side, with its patriarchal gravitas, secured eight. The voters of Baramati now stand at a crossroads, with the power to determine which faction represents the true essence of the NCP. While Sharad Pawar's camp is banking on the sympathy factor which has been generated by portraying him as a victim of betrayal, Ajit Pawar relies on the development work which has undertaken during his tenure as an MLA.

Baramati has been synonymous with the Pawar family for an unbroken 57 years. Until 1991, Sharad Pawar himself served as the MLA for the constituency. After transitioning to national politics, he passed the mantle to Ajit Pawar, who has since won seven consecutive assembly elections. The forthcoming verdict will not only decide the victor but also reshape the legacy of a political dynasty that has been intertwined with Baramati’s identity for decades.