Piqued over wife’s Baramati loss, Ajit Pawar again hints at not contesting seat; NCP (SP) says ‘adept at confusing voters’
This is the second time Ajit Pawar has hinted that he was not keen to contest from Baramati. However, NCP-SP led by his uncle said that Ajit Pawar's statement was merely an exercise in causing confusion among people.
"...Baramatikars should get a new MLA at least once and then they should compare my career from 1991 to 2024 with his performance,” Ajit Pawar said.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, head of NCP, said today that Baramati should get a new MLA and people should then compare his achievements over his 30-year-old career with the other representative. This is the second time Ajit Pawar has hinted that he was not keen to contest from Baramati. However, NCP-SP led by his uncle said that Ajit Pawar’s statement was merely an exercise in causing confusion among people.
”I am 65. I am satisfied. Baramatikar should get a new MLA, Other than me, at least once. And then they should compare my career from 1991 to 2024 with the performance of my successor,” Ajit Pawar said in his address to party workers in Baramati today.
Expressing distress at his wife’s defeat in Baramati in June Lok Sabha polls, the Dy CM said , ”I ensured all-round development of Baramati. I brought in the maximum funds. I am human too. I wonder, despite doing so much for them, what influenced Baramatikars to make the decision?” he said.
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Pawar spoke about the weight he carried after three decades in politics. ”Now I can send a second MP to Rajya Sabha. I have also made Rajesh Vitekar, Shivaji Garje the MLCs. But if people are going to make such decisions, like they did during Assembly polls, then I would rather keep mum,” he said.
The Dy CM said, ”I never take a different stand (from the party). But look at what happened during LS polls. We never support people who make controversial statements. One ruling party MLA had made a wild statement and we rebuked him.”
Describing it as a strategic move, NCP leader Jiteendra Awhad said, ”Ofcourse Ajit Pawar will contest from Baramati. It is an art indeed to create confusion in people’s minds. And he is using the art to the fullest.”
Awhad said Ajit Pawar has false notions about himself. ”He says Baramati is what it is due to him. He has got it terribly wrong. Baramati has developed because of Sharad Pawar.”
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Ajit Pawar’s cousin and MP Supriya Sule said she had no clue why Ajit Pawar said what he did. ”It is him you should ask why he wants a new MLA for Baramati.”
When asked whether her cousin had developed cold feet because NCP–SP was gearing up to field Yugendra Pawar, Sule refused to comment.
Will Yugendra Pawar be fielded by the party? To this Sule said, ”Nothing has been decided so far. I have not even seen the list of aspirants. Have patience.”
Earlier, Yugendra Pawar had told The Indian Express that he was very much active in Baramati and would contest if the party gave him the nod.
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On August 15, Ajit Pawar had, for the first time, hinted that he did not intend to contest the Baramati seat. ”I have won Baramati at least eight times. But I am no more keen to contest the seat,” he had said, leading to speculations about whether he would field his younger son Jay Pawar. He quickly responded saying it would be his party’s decision.
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