Baramati witnessed a high-stakes political battle between the Pawar cousins, Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, on Monday. Sharad Pawar, leader of the NCP, rallied behind his grand-nephew, Yugendra Pawar, advocating for a generational shift in leadership, while Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Deputy CM, urged voters to focus on continuity and development.
Sharad Pawar, addressing a rally for Yugendra, a political newcomer at 32, emphasized the need for fresh energy in Baramati. Sharad Pawar praised Yugendra as a capable candidate and emphasized the need for a new generation to lead Baramati.
NCP MP Supriya Sule, also Sharad Pawar’s daughter, added to the momentum, criticizing Ajit Pawar without naming him directly. “Did we invite the ED and CBI to Baramati?” she quipped, pointing to alleged corruption under Ajit’s leadership. Sule praised Sharad Pawar’s legacy, citing his contributions to education, agriculture, and industrial development in Baramati.
On the other hand, Ajit Pawar, speaking at a separate rally, dismissed the generational argument, emphasizing the development projects he has brought to Baramati. “In the past five years, I secured ₹9,000 crore for Baramati’s development,” he stated. Ajit appealed to voters’ sense of progress, saying, “Let’s continue this journey of growth.”
Ajit accused opponents of vote-buying with unfulfilled cash promises, making Baramati’s race a fierce contest over its future. As both Pawars fight to secure their legacies, voters must decide the future of Baramati’s leadership.
