Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated on Thursday that it will be up to his party to decide if his son, Jay Pawar, will contest from the Baramati assembly constituency.
Ajit Pawar, who has represented the Pune district constituency for several terms, also expressed that he is “not interested” in running in future elections. Despite this, state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare later clarified that Ajit Pawar did not explicitly rule out contesting the upcoming assembly elections.
Responding to questions about whether Jay would be fielded from Baramati as some supporters have demanded, Ajit Pawar said, “It is democracy. I am not interested in that (contesting elections) as I have contested seven or eight elections. If the people and supporters think so, the (NCP) parliamentary board will discuss it.”
Pawar added that if the parliamentary board and “people” felt Jay should be fielded, the NCP would be prepared to do so. His elder son, Parth Pawar, had previously contested the Maval Lok Sabha seat in 2019 but lost by a significant margin.
When asked if he would celebrate Raksha Bandhan with his cousin and rival NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar said he was currently on a state tour and would meet all his sisters wherever possible. “If Supriya Sule happens to be where I am, I will meet her,” he stated.
Pawar also addressed recent media reports suggesting friction between him and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, emphasising that both are working together effectively. He noted that the first instalment of ₹1,500 under the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme has been credited to the accounts of 35 lakh women in the state.
Regarding his recent comment that it was a mistake to field his wife, Sunetra, against Supriya Sule in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, Pawar said, “I am not someone who makes comments directed at some person. I speak whatever comes to my mind, and there is no need to do dissection.”
Sunil Tatkare also addressed the speculation, stating that Ajit Pawar did not declare he would abstain from future elections. “Ajit Pawar did not say that he would not contest elections....he could have some plans. We want to win as many seats as possible,” Tatkare said.
Additionally, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, grand-nephew of Sharad Pawar, had recently suggested that a family member close to Ajit Pawar might be fielded against him. He claimed, “The Mahayuti (coalition of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) is going to field candidates in my constituency to split votes. It was speculated that Ajit Pawar was under pressure to field someone from the family against Supriya Sule. Now, a similar strategy is being drawn up in my assembly constituency.”
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