Pune: Textile Park Linked to Ajit Pawar Denies Entry to Sharad Pawar’s Wife, Pratibha, in Baramati

Baramati, 18th November 2024: Similar to the Lok Sabha elections, the Pawar family is once again in direct competition during the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections in Pune’s Baramati. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and sitting MLA of Baramati, Ajit Pawar, is being challenged by his nephew, Yugendra Pawar. As the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, clash, tensions have intensified. This conflict has even pitted Ajit Pawar against his aunt, Pratibha Pawar, wife of Sharad Pawar.

Pratibha Pawar was reportedly denied entry to the Baramati Hi-tech Textile Park, a facility built by Sharad Pawar, for approximately 30 minutes, as revealed by Baramati MP Supriya Sule. Pratibha Pawar, accompanied by her granddaughter and Revati Sule, was en route to the park when the watchman stopped them, citing a lack of permission. Pratibha Pawar recorded a video in which she questioned the guards, who explained that they had received orders not to allow anyone inside. Frustrated, Pratibha Pawar asked, “Are you closing the gate because of us? Are we here to steal?” She emphasized that her only intention was to shop at the facility.

This situation arises in light of Ajit Pawar’s recent comments regarding his aunt. During a rally in Baramati, Ajit Pawar mentioned that over the years, Pratibha Pawar had never campaigned for anyone, but for the first time, she is doing so—against him and in favour of her grandnephew, Yugendra Pawar. He added, “I am going to meet her and ask if you have such ‘love’ for your grandnephew.” At that moment, an activist shouted, “Pratibha Pawar loves you too,” to which Ajit Pawar responded, “I don’t want this type of love.”

Pratibha Pawar’s being stopped at the gate has sparked major criticism of Ajit Pawar, with members of the Mahavikas Aghadi alleging that he controls the Baramati Hi-tech Textile Park. The chairperson of the park is Sunetra, Ajit Pawar’s wife, which further implicates him in the matter.

Baramati Textile Park CEO Anil Wagh Explains

When Pratibha Pawar was denied entry, she asked for the security guard who had refused her access. The security guard then contacted the CEO of the Baramati Hi-tech Textile Park, who subsequently permitted their entry. The CEO clarified that the gate they were trying to access was meant for vehicles only. CEO Anil Wagh said, “I was informed that a political rally was scheduled; however, since no permission had been granted for it, I instructed the security staff to prevent any rally from entering. Upon learning that Pratibha Pawar had arrived, I immediately instructed the security personnel to open the gate and allow her entry.”