The bugle for the parliamentary elections has been sounded. Within a week, the political battleground will be active. Zooming into Maharashtra's political terrain reveals internal party fractures, with Sharad Pawar at the epicenter of these shifts ahead of the elections. Once a dominant force in his party, Pawar now contends with altered power equations in the seats he once controlled. Veteran leader Sharad Pawar is tirelessly working to consolidate these fragments.
Baramati, a traditional stronghold for the Pawar family
A close examination of Sharad Pawar's efforts leads us to Baramati, a seat that has long been a bastion for the Pawar family. Following the party split, it faces heightened risk. With the national elections looming, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is drawing new battle lines amidst traditional political rivals after Ajit Pawar's claim to power in alliance with the BJP has changed the political landscape in the Baramati parliamentary constituency.
Now, Ajit Pawar holds sway over Baramati
After becoming the Union Minister of Agriculture during the UPA government, Sharad Pawar entrusted his nephew Ajit Pawar with the Baramati constituency, where Ajit was a cabinet minister in Maharashtra. This move gave Ajit Pawar the chance to extend his influence over the Baramati legislative assembly. Even after the party split, Ajit Pawar enjoys significant support in the city of Baramati. In response, Sharad Pawar is meeting with BJP leader Sambhaji Kakade and Chandrarao Dawre, invoking old alliances to counter this support.
Sharad Pawar actively rekindling old alliances
After Ajit Pawar's active involvement in politics, a dispute arose between Chandrarao Dawre and Sharad Pawar during the elections for the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill. Despite a 40-year gap, Pawar visited Dawre's home, aiming to mend fences amongst political rivals in Western Maharashtra. After 35 years, Sharar Pawar met with former minister Anantrao Thopte from the Bhor constituency, with the mediation of senior Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat. These maneuvers by Pawar are designed to prevent his son Sangram Thopte, a Congress legislator, from aiding Ajit Pawar behind the scenes.
Baramati appears secure for the 'Mahayuti' alliance
Out of the six legislative assemblies in the Baramati parliamentary area, two are held by the BJP. Having a base in the Daund and Khadakwasla constituencies, and with two-time legislator Dattatraya Bharne siding with Ajit Pawar, it's likely that Supriya Sule's vote share could decrease. Sharad Pawar is thus holding meetings to reduce hostilities with political foes. With Ajit Pawar's support, Supriya Sule has consistently had the edge, but the shifting voter patterns in the upcoming election might be decisive as Sharad Pawar builds new equations by reconnecting with old allies.
Giving priority to local issues
Baramati is currently grappling with drought conditions. Sharad Pawar, preceding Ajit Pawar, held drought meetings in the Purandar and Indapur constituencies and urged for the elections to focus on local matters. While Devendra Fadnavis was crafting a narrative of Modi versus Rahul Gandhi, Pawar shifted the electoral discourse towards local issues.
