Pune: Yugendra Pawar’s Campaign in Baramati Begins, Sharad Pawar Denies Family Rift Allegations

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande

Baramati, 29th October 2024: The campaign for Yugendra Pawar, representing the Nationalist Congress Sharadchandra Pawar Party (NCP-SP), began from the pilgrimage site of Kanheri in Baramati Taluka. It was led by senior leader Sharad Pawar, Yugendra’s grandfather. During his speech, Sharad Pawar targeted his nephew, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and current MLA of Baramati, criticising him directly. In response to accusations from Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar stated, “I have never broken families.”

Sharad Pawar said, “Yesterday, it was claimed that I broke families. My parents and brothers never taught me to commit a sin like that. I was focused on politics, on my village, on my country—all of this was possible because of the blessings and support from my family. I never distanced anyone, regardless of their position.” Referring to Ajit Pawar’s father, he added, “All my brothers, including Anant Rao, loved me deeply.”

Addressing Ajit Pawar directly, Sharad Pawar questioned, “You held the position of Deputy Chief Minister four times. Do not receiving a post once lead you to break the family?” He emphasised that he had never shown favouritism toward his daughter, Supriya Sule, and, because of this, he never felt the need to hold the family together, as there were no conflicts.

Sharad Pawar reminded Ajit of the full support he had given him, noting that for the past 20 years, he had focused solely on agriculture and education, gradually passing on responsibilities. Pawar then asked, “Even after entrusting you with so many responsibilities, why has it come to this?” He expressed disappointment, stating that despite founding the party, Ajit initiated legal action against them. Pawar remarked that, for the first time in his life, he had to appear in court because of Ajit, fighting for his party’s identity in the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) court.

In closing, Sharad Pawar humorously responded to a past statement by Ajit Pawar, who had once joked that Sharad Pawar would “come, make you emotional, and make you cry” before the Lok Sabha elections. Yesterday, Sharad Pawar playfully pulled out his handkerchief, wiped his tears, and brought laughter to the entire campaign crowd.