Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena leader Vijay Shivtare, a fierce critic of Ajit Pawar, decided against contesting from Baramati in upcoming elections, dropping his belligerent stand.With Sunetra Pawar, a novice in electoral politics, in the field, Baramati is set to witness a first-of-its-kind Pawar versus Pawar battle, post the split in the party founded by the Pawar senior in 1999.The real fight lies between Ajit Pawar, who joined the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government last July, and his uncle Sharad Pawar, a wily and battle-hardened politician.The Baramati Lok Sabha constituency includes six assembly segments Baramati town, Indapur, Daund, Purandar, Bhor and Khadakwasla. Sharad Pawar has won this seat multiple times in the past. He has a committed voter base and enjoys immense goodwill among people.In the 2019 elections, Supriya Sule scored a hat-trick of winning the Baramati constituency as NCP nominee.Even before Sunetra Pawar’s name was formally announced, she had started campaigning and meeting various social groups.To guard his home turf, Sharad Pawar recently visited the family of Congress legislator Sangram Thopte and met his father Anantrao Thopte, an old rival.NCP (SP), part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), also comprising Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, will contest 10 seats in Maharashtra, which sends 48 members to Lok Sabha.
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