In a high-stakes family drama, Ajit Pawar leads his nephew, Yugendra Pawar, in the prestigious Baramati seat as Maharashtra’s election results unfold. Ajit, now with the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance after splitting from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, is in a commanding position with over 60,000 more votes than the 32-year-old debutant.
Yugendra, son of Sharad Pawar’s brother, is campaigning under the flag of the NCP faction loyal to Sharad Pawar. His campaign, despite Sharad’s emotional backing, faces a tough challenge in this battle of legacy. Both factions are fighting for political survival, with the Sharad Pawar group boasting a dominant Lok Sabha performance, while Ajit Pawar’s faction gains ground with welfare schemes like the Ladki Bahin yojana.
For Ajit Pawar, the Baramati seat holds personal significance. His wife’s defeat to cousin Supriya Sule in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was a painful blow, and this election represents a chance for redemption. Ajit, now aligned with the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance after breaking away from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, is fighting not only for political dominance but to restore his family’s standing in the region. In contrast, Sharad Pawar, his uncle, has made an emotional appeal for the next generation, urging for Yugendra Pawar’s rise in Baramati. The contest has evolved into a battle that goes beyond just votes. It is a clash of family legacies, survival, and the future of Maharashtra’s politics, with both Ajit and Yugendra carrying the weight of their respective bloodlines. The outcome will shape not only their political futures but the Pawar family’s influence in Maharashtra.