Baramati Lok Sabha Battle: Supriya Sule All Set To Win Against Sunetra Pawar

The Lok Sabha election 2024 for the Baramati constituency is now dominated by an exciting family battle with all eyes on the Pawar clan. Sunetra Pawar, wife of Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar, faces his cousin, Supriya Sule, who is leading by a significant margin, setting the stage for a dynamic electoral battle within the family.

Sule, an NCP (SP) MP, appeared to be on course to win the Baramati Lok Sabha seat following the latest round of counting, leading by 40,670 votes. Until now, she has received 3,31,365 votes. Pawar, her sister-in-law, was trailing behind, with 2,90,695 votes thus far.

Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter, is running for office against Pawar, her sister-in-law, in a rare example of intra-family political rivalry that has intrigued both the electorate and analysts. As the election proceeds, early trends point to Supriya Sule taking the lead, signalling a shift in momentum in her favour. Despite initial projections, the race remains unsettled, with both candidates battling for dominance in a district rich in political history and intrigue. 

NEWS ALERT । NCP (Sharad Pawar) Supriya Sule leading by 40,398 votes in Baramati constituency of Maharashtra.#LSResultsWithPTI#LSPolls2024WithPTI#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/IiboshWXM3

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 4, 2024

The Baramati Buzz

Baramati, the stronghold of the Pawar family, witnessed the installation of a banner advocating Sunetra Pawar as the "upcoming MP." With her photograph boldly displayed alongside the declaration of her candidacy for the Pune district Lok Sabha seat, the banner has ignited discussions and speculation across political circles in Maharashtra.  

The anticipation surrounding the upcoming Lok Sabha election in Baramati reaches a crescendo as speculations abound regarding the potential face-off between Sunetra Pawar and Supriya Sule. Ajit Pawar's cryptic yet moving appeal to support a "first-timer" has fueled conjecture that his wife, Sunetra, might contest against his cousin, Supriya Sule, the incumbent Baramati MP. The prospect of two prominent figures within the Pawar family vying for the same Lok Sabha seat adds a controversial element to the electoral narrative in Maharashtra. 

Sunetra Pawar's entry into the political arena is not merely a coincidence but a continuation of a longstanding legacy. Hailing from a distinguished political lineage, she is the wife of Ajit Pawar, a scion of the illustrious Pawar family. Her brother, Padamsinh Patil, adds further gravitas to her political pedigree, being a senior politician and former minister himself.

The Pawars and Baramati Legacy

The Baramati constituency  holds historical significance for the Pawar family. Sharad Pawar, a seasoned leader, has won multiple Maharashtra legislative assembly elections and Lok Sabha polls from Baramati. Supriya Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, too, has maintained a stronghold on the Baramati Lok Sabha seat for three consecutive terms since 2009. Ajit Pawar, a seasoned politician himself, has a track record of winning the Baramati Lok Sabha elections in 1991. Subsequently, he secured seven Vidhan Sabha terms, solidifying the Pawar stronghold in the region. 

With the banner in Baramati serving as a harbinger of things to come, the political saga within the Pawar family promises to be both riveting and consequential.

Beyond Political Connections

Sunetra Pawar, beyond her political affiliations, stands as a noteworthy figure in her own right. The founder of the Environmental Forum of India, an NGO established in 2010, she has been a catalyst in promoting organic farming and advocating the use of bioagents, vermicompost, and green manure. Her commitment to environmental causes extends to her role as a trustee for the educational institution Vidya Pratishthan.

A prominent member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum in France since 2011, Sunetra Pawar has been a think tank contributor, offering insights into sustainable practices and eco-friendly initiatives. Her efforts in fostering the concept of eco-villages in India have garnered recognition, earning her prestigious awards such as the Nirmal Gram Puraskar and the Cyber Gram Award.

Sunetra and Ajit Pawar, a dynamic political couple, are parents to two sons, Jay and Parth Pawar. While Jay oversees the family business, Parth, with evident political ambitions, contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Maval.

The Pawar family's historic ties to Baramati, coupled with Sunetra's impactful social initiatives, set the stage for a gripping electoral showdown. The constituents of Baramati now face a choice that goes beyond familial affiliations, as they decide the future trajectory of their constituency in the impending Lok Sabha election.