As NCP (SP) candidate Supriya Sule secured a huge majority of over 66,000 votes from the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, the party’s national chief and her father Sharad Pawar said that he was confident that Baramatikars would remain loyal like they have done for last 60 years.
“I know the mindset of Baramatikars for 60 years. They have remained loyal to us. Therefore I was confident that they would remain loyal 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 Sule and NCP (SP) state chief Jayant Patil and party leader Jitendra Ahwad.
In the initial rounds of counting in Baramati, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP’s Sunetra Pawar was leading. 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 Pawar.
Sharad Pawar said Baramati Assembly constituency gave 35,000 lead at the end of 15th round to Sule.
“I have a special bond with 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.
The NCP led by Ajit Pawar, however, said the emotional attachment of the voters of Baramati for “Pawar saheb” finally has taken Sule towards yet another success.
Umesh Patil, spokesperson of NCP, 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.”
Sule had contested from Baramati for her fourth term as MP from the constituency.
Patil said that for Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, 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 heat 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 will stray away from Pawar saheb and his family.”
During the campaigning phase, Ajit Pawar had raised doubts about Sule’s achievement as MP. “What did she do in last 15 years as MP ?,” he had said.
Maniyar said, “Such things are often said during campaigning time. There is nothing abnormal about. Supriya Sule has slogged for constituency for 15 years. She has pushed hard the development of Baramati. Ajit Pawar can be forgiven for raising doubt during campaigning period. He should remember that Sule has been honoured as best Parliamentarian as well.”
Though the Baramati election was between Sule and Sunetra, it was widely considered as a battle between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar for their supremacy over Baramati.
However, Maniyar said, “Sharad Pawar will remain unaffected by victory or defeat. After every big event, whether it is a failure or success, he starts new innings with renewed vigour.”
Sule had first won from Baramati in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. And then she continued her victory in 2014 and 2019. In 2014, she had first tough contest from Mahadev Jankar. However, in the end she had won with a comfortable margin.
In the 2024 electon 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 extensively for Sunetra Pawar.
Sunetra’s son, Parth Pawar, had planned her campaigning at least three months before the polls were announced.
“I have a special bond with 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,” Pawar said. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar) 
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