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This is an archive article published on April 18, 2024

Those criticising will vote for me after learning my performance as MP: Sule after filing her nomination for Baramati

On allegations by Deputy Chief Minister and her cousin Ajit Pawar that there was no development fund for the constituency in the last 15 years, Sule said, "It seems they have not read my performance report."

Supriya Sule, Baramati, Baramati Lok Sabha, Lok Sabha 2024,Baramati's sitting Lok Sabha MP and the MVA's candidate from the constituency Surpiya Sule said on Thursday that those criticising her will vote for her after they read her performance report as an MP.

Baramati’s sitting Lok Sabha MP and the MVA’s candidate from the constituency Surpiya Sule said on Thursday that those criticising her will vote for her after they read her performance report as an MP.

“Mine and Amol Kolhe’s old symbol has gone. The symbol has not gone because anyone of us changed the party but everyone knows why it has changed. I wonder what was our mistake that we lost both the party and the symbol,” said Sule who was addressing a rally of the Maha Vikas Aghadi–a kilometre away from the Mahayuti’s ‘show of strength’ where several leaders such as Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar congregated to rally for NCP candidate from Baramati Sunetra Pawar.

“Someone said I will cry over it (losing the party name and symbol). I am the granddaughter of Shardabai Pawar. My grandmother has not taught me to cry but to fight any adverse situation in life. I will fight with full strength. Look at my fortune, the God has given me a symbol that is considered auspicious during any new start or religious activity,” said Sule after filing her nomination for Baramati, along with NCP (SP)’s Shirur candidate Amol Kolhe and Ravindra Dhangekar, who is the Congress candidate for Pune seat.

On allegations by Deputy Chief Minister and her cousin Ajit Pawar that there was no development fund for the constituency in the last 15 years, Sule said, “It seems they have not read my performance report. I will send a copy of it to them. I have confidence in my work.” Sule added those who were with them in the past are now making personal attacks but they never did that before.

“I never indulged in elections at the local level since senior leaders were involved in it. It is my upbringing to not interfere in the work that seniors handle but instead provide help. I want to assure the cadre that MVA will contest all elections at the local level,” she said.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and state unit chief Jayant Patil, Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan, Balasaheb Thorat and Vishwajit Kadam, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sachin Ahir and Sushma Andhare also addressed the rally.

“Those now in power have cheated the public for 10 years. There are issues of inflation, unemployment, farmers and many more, for which they have given empty assurances but did not fulfil any,” said Sharad Pawar.

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“In 2014, during the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, the price of petrol was Rs 71 per litre and Modi had declared that he would bring down the price in 50 days. It is Rs 106/litre now after 10 years of Modi rule. Similarly, the domestic LPG cylinder rate was Rs 410 per cylinder but now it is Rs 1,060. He had given assurance of employment to two crore youths every year but in the last 10 years, unemployment has increased due to lack of jobs,” said Pawar.

The NCP (SP) chief said Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was put in jail as he criticised Modi and so was Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.  Balasaheb Thorat said victory for NCP (SP) in Pune and Maharashtra will be a mark of respect to Sharad Pawar, who has worked hard to make Maharashtra the developed state in the country. He added the victory of the MVA would also be a sign of respect for Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray.

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background  Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi.  "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More


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