Sat Nov 23 20:03:46 UTC 2024: ## Ajit Pawar Wins Baramati Seat by Landslide, Despite Family Opposition
**MUMBAI, INDIA** – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar secured a resounding victory in the Baramati assembly seat election, defeating his nephew Yugendra Pawar by over one lakh votes. The win comes despite a concerted effort by Ajit’s uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar, and his family, to unseat him.
Ajit Pawar, who secured his eighth consecutive term, expressed hurt over the active campaigning of his uncle’s wife, Pratibha Pawar, against him. He noted that while she had never campaigned for him in his previous 35 years contesting the seat, this time she actively worked for his nephew’s campaign.
While the Sharad Pawar camp anticipated a close contest, Ajit Pawar received 181,132 votes, compared to Yugendra Pawar’s 80,233 votes. This victory reduced the margin from the 2019 election by roughly 50,000 votes, an achievement Yugendra’s aunt and MP Supriya Sule attributed to his spirited first-time campaign.
The election saw a significant family rift, with a majority of the Pawar family campaigning for Yugendra. Ajit Pawar had initially considered withdrawing from the race but was persuaded to remain a candidate. He strategically avoided directly criticizing his nephew, focusing instead on his own development record. This contrasts with his previous Lok Sabha election campaign where he sharply criticized his cousin Supriya Sule.
Ajit Pawar’s wife, Sunetra Pawar, attributed his victory to his development work in Baramati and expressed her desire for him to become Chief Minister. The result marks a significant win for Ajit Pawar, solidifying his political dominance in the region despite the intense family-based opposition.
First Piper 