Sule defeats Sunetra: Sharad Pawar says was confident of Baramati’s loyalty

“I know the mindset of Baramatikars for 60 years. They have remained loyal to us and therefore I was confident that they would remain so this time too and show the right path to those who have choosen the wrong path,” Pawar told reporters in Mumbai. He was accompanied by daughter Sule, NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil and party leader Jitendra Ahwad.

Sharad Pawar said Baramati Assembly constituency gave a 35,000 lead at the end of 15th round to Sule. ”I have a special bond with the people of Baramati which they have once again proved…I was keen to know what happens in Baramati. The voters have lived up to my expectations,” he said.

After the defeat in Baramati and poor showing of Mahayuti, Ajit Pawar said that although the NCP and Mahayuti could not achieve the desired results in Maharashtra, they have the strength and power to turn it around in the future. “No failure is final. Undeterred by failure, we all should devote ourselves to public service with renewed vigour, enthusiasm, and hope. The NCP and Mahayuti will analyse the results. Based on the conclusion, all workers of the coalition will gear up for the Assembly elections slated to be held in the coming four months,” Pawar said.

In her reaction, Sule said, ”My father is the most important person of my life. If we want to learn anything from him, it is that we should never give up no matter what the situation is. Every time, we face the odds of life, we should lift ourselves up to surmount them. My father has set such examples so many times in his life.”
Thanking voters, Sule said, ”The voters have reposed faith in me. My responsibility has increased manifold. Similarly, I want to express my gratitude to party workers who stood by me in this difficult period.”

Sule criticised the language used by leaders during the campaigning. ”We should all try to maintain dignity during campaign period. We tried that but the rivals failed to do so. We have to preserve Maharashtra’s culture of respecting each other, be it on social or political terrain,” she said. Sule avoided all questions related to Ajit Pawar and Sunetra Pawar. ”Ram Krishna Hari..,” was her stock reply.

In the initial stages of the counting today, Sunetra Pawar was ahead. However, Sule soon took over and continued to maintain a good lead. Though after a few rounds, the lead dropped, Sule continued to remain ahead of Sunetra and in the end emerged victorious by a margin which Ajit Pawar camp found it difficult to digest.

Umesh Patil, spokesperson of NCP led by Ajit Pawar, said, ”It seems the emotional attachment of Baramatikars with Pawar saheb has finally won the day for them. No matter how much we urged voters not to fall prey to emotional appeal, they have clearly not paid attention and have voted for yet another success of Supriya Sule.”

Patil said for Sunetra it was her first election. ”She put up a solid fight. She had campaigned very hard across the length and breadth of Baramati in extreme hot conditions. …She had been in close race all throughout the counting,” Patil said.

Vithal Maniyar, a long time friend of Sharad Pawar said, ”I never had any doubt about Supriya’s victory. I never ever imagine that Baramatikars would stray away from Pawar saheb and his family.”
During the campaigning phase, Ajit Pawar had raised doubts about Sule’s achievements as MP. ”What did she do in last 15 years as MP?” he had asked.

Maniyar said, ”Such things are often said during campaigning time. There is nothing abnormal about it. Supriya Sule has slogged for her constituency for 15 years. She has pushed hard the development of Baramati. Ajit Pawar can be forgiven for raising doubts during campaigning period. He should remember Supriya has been honoured as best Parliamentarian as well.”

Though the Baramati election was between Sule and Sunetra, it had had become a prestige issue for both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar. However, Maniyar said, ”Sharad Pawar will remain unaffected by victory or defeat. After every big event whether their is failure or success, he starts new innings with renewed vigour.”
Sule had first won from Baramati in 2009. And then in 2014 and 2019. In 2014, she had her first tough contest from Mahadev Jankar. However, in the end she had won with comfortable margin.

In 2024 election too, Sule was up against her biggest challenge of her political career as her own cousin Ajit Pawar had gone flat out to defeat her. Ajit Pawar had even warned voters if they did not elect the candidate of his choice, the development of Baramati will take a hit. He along with top Mahayuti leaders had campaigned for Sunetra Pawar. Her son, Parth Pawar, had planned her campaigning at least three months before the polls were announced.