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.

3 min readPuneUpdated: Sep 9, 2024 07:38 AM IST

"...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.

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.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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