In a highly anticipated political battle in Maharashtra, Supriya Sule emerged victorious over her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, wife of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. This contest was seen as one of the most high-profile electoral battles in the state.
Overcoming a formidable challenge posed by her estranged cousin and NCP (SP) candidate, Supriya Sule retained her Baramati seat with a margin of over 1.55 lakh votes. Sule secured 7,32,312 votes, while Sunetra Pawar garnered 5,73,979 votes.
Ajit Pawar, who rebelled against his uncle Sharad Pawar last year and split the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), is known to have substantial support in Baramati. Many political observers had anticipated a tough fight for Supriya Sule in her bid for a fourth consecutive term.
The defeat of Sunetra Pawar is a significant blow to Ajit Pawar. His son, Parth Pawar, had previously lost in the Maval constituency as a candidate of the undivided NCP in the 2019 general elections.
The high-stakes contest in Baramati was marked by a series of barbs traded between members of the Pawar family. Both factions campaigned vigorously, with Sharad Pawar personally reaching out to voters and Ajit Pawar holding numerous public meetings.
Supriya Sule led in nearly all assembly segments, including Baramati, Indapur, Daund, Bhor, and Purandar. NCP (SP) workers began celebrating even before the official results were announced.
In her victory speech, Supriya Sule expressed her gratitude to the people of her constituency. “I am thankful to the people of Baramati. After the victory, our collective responsibilities have increased. Let bygones be bygones. Whatever happened during the elections did not befit Maharashtra’s politics and it should be avoided in the upcoming state elections, and for that, we will take utmost precaution,” she said.
She emphasized the importance of maintaining the honor, pride, and culture of Maharashtra during elections. “We upheld that tradition in these elections and will continue to uphold it in the upcoming elections,” Sule added. She also acknowledged the workers who supported her father, Sharad Pawar, during this critical phase, describing them as the party’s real strength.
Sources By Agencies