This is an archive article published on November 18, 2024
Sharad Pawar calls for a change of guard in Baramati, asks voters to elect Yugendra by a record margin
Criticizing the Mahayuti reign, Sharad Pawar said that over 20,000 farmers committed suicide and 64,000 women are missing. He said that Baramatikars should give an opportunity to the 'next generation', referring to his grand nephew Yugendra Pawar.
Yugendra is son of Shrinivas Pawar, the brother of Mahayuti ally and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar. (File Photo)
Seeking a change of guard in Baramati and ouster of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Monday said his grandnephew Yugendra Pawar was well-educated, a capable youngster who has the potential to carry forward his legacy and, therefore, Baramatikars should ensure his victory with a record margin. In the 2019 elections, Ajit Pawar was elected from Baramati with a record margin of 1.67 lakh votes.
Addressing the concluding day election rally in Lendhi Patti ground in Baramati city, Sharad Pawar, who arrived around 5.30 pm to a rousing reception from the jam-packed crowd, said, “Yugendra Pawar was educated abroad. Today, he is engrossed in social work in Baramati. He has the ability to work for the development of Baramati. He has the knack to understand problems and find solutions for them. He knows what is required to be done. I’m sure Baramatikars will love his way of working. And therefore, you should give him an opportunity.”
Taking a jibe at Ajit Pawar, Pawar Sr said as he was seeking opportunity for Yugendra to represent Baramati, some people (Ajit Pawar) are raising questions like “What should I do?” “Then what should I do?” he asked.
Pawar Sr said Baramatikars first made him the MLA in 1967. “I then became the chief minister. Baramatikars gave me 30 years. Then they elected Ajit Pawar. We made him the Deputy Chief Minister. Now, Baramatikars should give an opportunity to the next generation for the sake of future development, Yugendra has been touring in Baramati villages and has been interacting with you,” he said.
Pawar said, “Wherever you go in the country when they take the name of Baramati, who do they remember?” As the crowd shouted Sharad Pawar, he said, “Now Yugendra Pawar will carry forward that tradition. Therefore, Baramatikars should elect him with a record margin. The way we ensured development, Yugendra will work with more vigour.”
Attacking the BJP and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, “What did Fadnavis and his colleagues do for Maharashtra? They did only one work. They sent industries which wanted to set up shop in Maharashtra to Gujarat.” He then read out the names of big companies.
Pawar said, “Baramati and its surrounding areas are suitable for farming. However, during the Mayahuti reign in Maharashtra over 20,000 farmers have died by suicide. What was their fault? The farmers died because of the wrong policies of the government. The Modi government waived Rs 18,000 crore loan of 16 big industrialists but it has not ensured reasonable rates for farm produce.”
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Pointing out that the Lok Sabha elections showed to the country what Maharashtra was all about, Pawar said, “The Lok Sabha elections and its results have showed to the country what Maharashtra is all about. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was urging voters to elect 400 of his MPs. If you have to run the country and run the Lok Sabha, you don’t need the support of 400 MPs. If you intend to change the Constitution given to us by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, then you need 400 plus MPs. The meaning was crystal clear. Modi wanted to change the Constitution drafted by Dr Ambedkar.”
Criticising the Ladki Bahin Yojana, Pawar said, “In the Lok Sabha elections, the MVA secured success as it won 30 out of the 48 seats in Maharashtra. The voters kept Modi at bay in Maharashtra. After the rulers failed in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, they brought in Ladki Bahin Yojana. On one hand, they brought the Ladki Bahin Yojana and on the other, what is the condition of our womenfolk? Are they safe in our land? Look at the atrocities committed on women during the current regime. As per police station records, more than 67,000 women have suffered atrocities.”
Pawar said in Maharashtra 64,000 women are missing. “What security have the government given to our womenfolk? They tom-tom about Ladki Bahin Yojana, but look at the way women are suffering in Maharashtra.”
Several NCP leaders including MPs Supriya Sule, Dhananjay Mane and Amol Kolhe also spoke at the rally. Yugendra Pawar also addressed the gathering.
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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