Pawar vs Pawar: High-Stakes Showdown in Baramati as Ajit and Yugendra File Nominations

The political landscape of Maharashtra is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown in Baramati as Ajit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar file their nominations on Monday for the upcoming assembly elections.

Ajit Pawar's rebellion earlier this year brought significant attention to Baramati, and the constituency is once again in the spotlight as the Pawar family faces off in a crucial contest. This election marks a direct clash between uncle and nephew, with Ajit Pawar taking on Yugendra Pawar. However, the contest is widely perceived as a battle between Ajit and the senior Pawar patriarch, Sharad Pawar, adding further weight to the reputations of both leaders.

Yugendra, the son of Ajit’s brother Srinivas Pawar, has been actively engaging with voters in the Baramati Assembly constituency since the Lok Sabha elections, preparing for this pivotal political battle.

In 2019, Baramati voters showed strong turnout, but the 2024 Lok Sabha elections brought was upsetting for Ajit Pawar. Supriya Sule defeated Sunetra Pawar by a margin of 153,000 votes, raising concerns about Ajit Pawar's hold on the constituency. Sule’s commanding victory in Ajit’s home turf was interpreted as a shift in voter allegiance.

Sharad Pawar has positioned Yugendra as a candidate in the assembly elections. Though this is Yugendra’s first electoral contest, his political activity since the Lok Sabha elections, coupled with Sharad Pawar's backing, is expected to bolster his campaign. Ajit Pawar's departure from Sharad Pawar's camp during the Lok Sabha race reportedly left a sour impression on voters, making this assembly contest a decisive moment for both factions.