Lok Sabha Elections : Raj Thackeray’s Surprise Move Shakes Up Baramati Political Landscape

Baramati’s political arena witnessed a seismic shift as Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray, just three days after pledging backing for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Mahayuti government, emerged prominently in the campaign material of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Sunetra Pawar.

Thackeray’s presence, depicted in a saffron kurta, alongside other prominent figures like PM Modi and CM Eknath Shinde, signifies a significant turn in the contest between NCP’s Sunetra Pawar and Supriya Sule, the NCP Working President and cousin sister of Ajit Pawar, the Deputy CM.

The battle for Baramati has piqued national interest, dubbed as a showdown between a ‘rookie’ and a ‘veteran.’ Sunetra Pawar, facing stiff opposition from the Pawar clan, is vigorously campaigning to seize the Baramati Lok Sabha seat from Supriya Sule’s grip.

However, the road ahead is arduous. Baramati has long been a stronghold of the Pawars, electing Sharad Pawar five times and Supriya Sule thrice. The constituency, historically Congress-NCP territory, has only seen exceptions during the Janata Party wave of 1977 and a by-poll in 1985.

The political scenario in Maharashtra has been disrupted by infighting, with both the Shiv Sena and NCP experiencing divisions. The upcoming elections in Baramati and across the state are seen as a challenge for these split factions, which are now being recognized as the ‘original parties.’ Sharad Pawar’s witty comment about the fight being between a ‘local Pawar’ (Supriya) and an ‘outsider Pawar’ (Sunetra) brings a touch of humour to the intense political environment, hinting at deeper tensions within the Pawar family.

As the countdown to the elections begins, all eyes are on Baramati, where alliances are shifting, and political allegiances are being tested in the crucible of democracy.