Ajit Pawar has finally outsmarted his estranged uncle, Sharad Pawar, not only by proving that the NCP faction led by him is the ‘real’ NCP but also by winning more seats in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
After breaking away from Sharad Pawar in July 2023 and joining the MahaYuti alliance, Ajit Pawar worked tirelessly to consolidate his faction’s presence across the state, despite personal challenges, including the loss of his wife, Sunetra Pawar, to his cousin and NCP-SP nominee Supriya Sule in the general elections from Baramati.
Ajit’s strategic outreach, particularly his efforts to expand the party’s appeal, played a crucial role in his faction’s success. His promotion of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, aimed at empowering women voters, struck a chord. He pledged to not only continue the scheme but also enhance its financial assistance if MahaYuti returned to power. This promise won him overwhelming support from women voters.
Of the 59 seats contested by Ajit Pawar’s faction, they faced the Sharad Pawar group in 40 constituencies. Ajit’s faction emerged victorious in 30 of these direct contests, while the remaining seats were claimed by the NCP-SP alliance, BJP, and an independent candidate.
Ajit’s victory in the Baramati Assembly seat against Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew, Yugendra Pawar, was particularly symbolic. Despite Sharad’s focused efforts on this constituency, Ajit triumphed, further solidifying his dominance.
Notable wins for Ajit’s faction include key constituencies such as Yeola, Ambegaon, Dindori, Kagal, Parli, and Udgir, where his candidates defeated NCP-SP nominees. Prominent leaders like Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse-Patil, Hasan Mushrif, and Dhananjay Munde retained their strongholds.
However, there were notable defeats as well. NCP nominees Sunil Tingre (Vadgaon Sheri), Yogesh Kshirsagar (Beed), and Nishikant Patil (Islampur) lost to NCP-SP rivals. Independent candidates and BJP nominees also secured wins in some key constituencies.
This election marks a turning point for Ajit Pawar, as his faction not only established itself as a dominant force within the NCP but also increased his bargaining power with MahaYuti allies. Ajit has vowed to further strengthen his control in the cooperative sector and prepare for upcoming local and civic elections, setting the stage for a prolonged battle against Sharad Pawar.
(Inputs from IANS)
