Baramati assembly seat of Pune district is far from the usual allegations, counter-allegations, issues and promises in Maharashtra for the assembly elections. There is neither any competition among all the parties on this seat nor any competition to get ahead in the grassroots campaign. Here there is an election battle between two members of the state’s political giant Pawar family. There is no bus stand with facilities like Baramati in big cities of Maharashtra. In the waiting room, the local youth asked Kanhaiya which party is dominant here.
He said – There is no competition between the parties here. Two members of the same family are standing. Saheb’s (Sharad Pawar) grandson Yugendra Pawar and Saheb’s nephew ‘Dada’ (Deputy CM Ajit Pawar) are contesting the elections. Both Saheb and Dada have developed a lot. Earlier both were together, we love both of them equally, hence we are not able to decide whom to vote for between Saheb’s representative Yugendra and Dada. Therefore, half the members of many families will vote for both. There are total three votes in my family. One of these will go in favor of Ajit and one in favor of Yugendra. I will not vote because the balance will be upset.
For the first time, candidates are testing voters.
When Kamble raised election discussion at the tea shop, Dilip said, there is no issue here. Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar left no stone unturned in development. Now that both are different, the voters are being tested. Vasant Gaikwad said, Sharad Pawar is trying to save the fort by citing his age. Ajit Pawar is also seeking votes citing years old relationship. Here, victory or defeat will be decided on the basis of how strong whose ’emotional card’ is.
In the Lok Sabha, first Saheb’s point was put forward, now it’s Dada’s turn.
Amidst the emotional connection, voters are also giving their vote of balance to both the candidates. Who will you vote for? When asked, Tukaram Nikalje said, Supriya Sule was chosen for Saheb’s prestige in the Lok Sabha. Now grandfather’s respect will also have to be maintained. If grandfather wins, he can become CM, there is only one family. Sharad Pawar started electoral politics from Baramati itself. Later this traditional seat was given to nephew Ajit. Ajit Pawar has been an MLA from here for a long time. This is the first election after the disintegration of NCP. Sharad Pawar has fielded Ajit Pawar’s brother’s son Yugendra Pawar against Ajit but Ajit has the election symbol of Ghadi.
