Ajit Pawar to contest Maharashtra Assembly elections from Baramati

In India, Ajit Pawar has announced his candidacy for the Baramati seat in the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. This decision comes after a disappointing performance by his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the recent Lok Sabha elections, where they secured only one out of four contested seats. The loss in Baramati, a significant constituency, was particularly notable as Ajit Pawar's cousin, Supriya Sule, won decisively against his sister-in-law, Sunetra Pawar. Ajit Pawar previously expressed regret over fielding Sunetra against Supriya, indicating that family dynamics should not interfere with political strategies. The announcement was made by NCP national working president Praful Patel, who confirmed Ajit Pawar as the official candidate for Baramati. This decision has sparked speculation about the party's strategy and the potential candidates that Sharad Pawar might support. There were earlier discussions about Ajit Pawar possibly contesting from other constituencies, such as Hadapsar and Shirur, but his confirmation to run from Baramati has shifted the focus back to this key seat. The political landscape in Baramati is further complicated by the emergence of Yugendra Pawar, who is becoming politically active in the area. This could lead to a contest between family members, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming elections. The NCP's performance and internal dynamics will be crucial as they prepare for the assembly polls, especially in light of their recent electoral challenges.