EVEN as NCP has as soon as once more insisted that its president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will contest solely from Baramati Meeting seat, Yugendra Pawar, his nephew, mentioned he was “battle-ready” and was awaiting instructions from his grandfather Sharad Pawar to plunge into the ballot ring.
On Tuesday, NCP working president Praful Patil advised reporters in Mumbai Ajit Pawar will contest from Baramati and was not in search of a safer seat. Equally, on Monday, NCP state president Sunil Tatkare had for the second time in two months advised this paper that Ajit Pawar wouldn’t contest from some other seat apart from Baramati.
The NCP’s assertions have come amidst speculations that Ajit Pawar may shift to both Shirur, Khadakvasla or another seat to make sure his victory and finally occupy the chief minister’s chair, which he has been eyeing for lengthy.
On his half, Ajit Pawar has additionally hinted that he may not contest from Baramati and his youthful son Jay Pawar may contest as a substitute.
“I don’t know why my uncle doesn’t need to contest from Baramati. Possibly as a result of Supriyatai was main in Baramati by 48,000 votes throughout the Lok Sabha elections… Although this will not be true, he is perhaps having his personal causes. In any case, he’s an skilled politician,” mentioned Yugendra, son of Ajit Pawar’s elder brother Sriniwas Pawar. Yugendra is in NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar. Throughout Lok Sabha elections, he and his household had been within the forefront of campaigning for Supriya Sule, his aunt.
In 2019, Ajit Pawar had received Baramati Meeting seat for the seventh time with a report margin of 1.67 lakh votes. “Lok Sabha elections and Meeting elections are two various things… Ajit Pawar has been profitable persistently with massive margins from Baramati. And has been working relentlessly for the individuals of Baramati. Due to this fact, there is no such thing as a query of being concerned over dropping the seat. Ajit Pawar will win arms down whoever be the contestant,” mentioned NCP spokesperson Umesh Patil.
Yugendra mentioned he’s leaving no stone unturned to work together with the voters of Baramati in a bid to maintain himself battle-ready in case he’s requested to leap into the fray. “I’ve accomplished two rounds of Baramati Meeting constituency. I’ve been lively in Baramati for fairly someday now. I’ve been in contact with the voters right here,” he mentioned.
Requested whether or not he has any plans to contest from Chinchwad Meeting seat, Yugendra mentioned, “No method, if I’ve to contest, I’ll contest from Baramati solely.”
On his half, Sriniwas Pawar, his father, talking to ABP Majha, a Marathi information channel, mentioned, “Ajitdada has not as soon as however twice mentioned that he may take a distinct determination. Baramati is a particular constituency. Sharad Pawar is aware of it inside out. Nobody else understands it higher than him.”
Sriniwas mentioned Ajit Pawar has claimed that total Pawar household can be with him throughout Meeting election. “This sounds humorous. Even I need to see which Pawars can be with him. And who would be the candidate? I believe Ajitdada will contest from Baramati. However Baramatikars will always remember Pawar saheb, they may by no means depart him. You will note it on this election,” he mentioned.
In the meantime, talking in Baramati on Tuesday night, Ajit Pawar mentioned, “At any time when I needed to take a political stand, I had taken it after dialogue with ‘saheb’…He had first mentioned sure after which he mentioned I don’t assume it’s acceptable….” He was referring to his determination to affix arms with BJP and Shiv Sena to kind Mahayuti in 2023.
After inaugurating a slew of initiatives and laying the inspiration stone in Pimpri on Wednesday, Ajit Pawar, taking a jibe at Sharad Pawar’s occasion, mentioned, “When a celebration doesn’t have candidate with elective advantage, they import candidates.” Ajit Pawar was referring to BJP chief Harshvardhan Patil becoming a member of NCP (SP).
