After defeat in LS election, Sunetra Pawar still set to be MP as NCP poised to pick her for Rajya Sabha poll; MVA not to field candidate

The seat had fallen vacant due after NCP leader Praful Patel had resigned two years into his tenure. If Sunetra Pawar is elected, she will have a four-year term as MP.

When her reaction was sought, Supriya Sule, who has been elected for the fourth time as MP, said,”It is the internal matter of NCP as to whom they should field for Rajya Sabha seat.”

Asked whether there is a possibility of clashes over Baramati’s development in case Sunetra Pawar becomes an RS MP, Sule said,”If a person becomes an MP, they can raise the issue of development of their constituency…” she said.

On whether Sunetra Pawar has congratulated her after her victory, Sule replied in the negative. “But I have reached out to her, I have texted her…,” she said.

Though there are a few claimants for the Rajya Sabha’s vacant seat, Ajit Pawar has managed to convince party leaders that they should help him make his wife the MP, sources said.

When asked whether Sunetra Pawar will be fielded, the NCP spokespsrson said various names are under consideration. ”The name will be finalised by tonight and tomorrow it will be announced,” he said.

To ensure his wife’s victory from Baramati, Ajit Pawar had staked his own prestige. He had gone flat out to get her elected, roping top leaders of Mahayuti and himself leading from the front. He had even ridiculed his uncle Sharad Pawar, who is NCP (S-P) national chief, by urging voters not to fall prey to his emotional tactics. He had belittled Sule’s work as an MP from Baramati. “What has the MP done in last 15 years ? Getting Sansad Ratna doesn’t help in getting funds ,” he had said.

Ajit Pawar had faced allegations from his own nephew, Rohit Pawar, of distributing money to buy votes. The Deputy CM had dismissed allegations, stating that Rohit was in the habit of making wild charges.

Meanwhile, the Maha Vikas Aghadi is unlikely to field a candidate for the bypoll as it does not have the required numbers. ”If there are six contestants, then each needs at least 44 votes in a house of 288. In this case, if there are two candidates, the one with maximum votes will win. The Mahayuti has a strength of 180 MLAs. Therefore, I don’t think the election will be held. It will be unopposed,” said NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut too said the Maha Vikas Aghadi does not have the numbers and will therefore not be likely to field a candidate. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe too dismissed the possibility of fielding a candidate.

If she makes it to Rajya Sabha, it will be Sunetra Pawar’s first major achievement on the political turf where her husband Ajit Pawar has excelled for last 30 years. Sunetra Pawar has not even contested a gram panchayat election.

However, during the Baramati Lok Sabha elections, NCP leaders said she left no stone unturned to win the seat to keep her husband’s pride in tact. ”She campaigned very hard and was seen across the constituency in the searing summer heat. It was her baptism by fire on political terrain,” said an NCP leader.