Baramati Constituency: The Battle Of Survival For Both NCP Factions

The Baramati Lok Sabha constituency situated in the Pune district of Maharashtra, is widely recognised as the citadel of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Over the past 27 years, the constituency has been with the Pawar family. The NCP president Sharad Pawar represented the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency for five consecutive terms. The six assembly seats, namely Indapur, Baramati, Purandar, Bhor, Khadakwasla, and Daund, fall under the Baramati constituency

In 2019 Lok Sabha election, Supriya Sule, the daughter of NCP president Sharad Pawar, won against BJP candidate Kanchan Rahul Kul by a margin of 11.9 %. As a sitting MP she has been representing the same constituency since 2009 onwards. But the political landscape has been drastically changed in Maharashtra following the split in NCP in July 2023. Ajit Pawar got the support of the majority of NCP MLAs to back the BJP-Shiv sena government led by chief minister Eknath Shinde, and more than 40 out of the total 53 NCP MLAs aligned with Ajit Pawar in the strategic political move.

The Baramati Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 election has become a focal point of national interest and intrigue. The reason behind this heightened attention can be attributed to the highly anticipated direct competition between the incumbent MP, Supriya Sule, who represents the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and her sister-in-law, Sunetra Pawar who represents the Ajit Pawar-led NCP. Sunetra Pawar is the wife of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

However, the entry of Sunetra Pawar into the electoral arena has added a new dimension to the race. Being the sister-in-law of Supriya Sule and supported by her influential husband, Ajit Pawar, Sunetra Pawar has emerged as a formidable contender. This familial rivalry has captured the attention of the entire nation, as it showcases the complexities and dynamics of political relationships within a family.

The competition between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar is not just a battle for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat, but also a reflection of the power struggle within the NCP party. The outcome of this electoral battle will not only determine the representative of Baramati in the Lok Sabha but also have wider implications for the NCP party. The success of either Supriya Sule or Sunetra Pawar could potentially influence the party’s future leadership and direction. As a result, political analysts and observers across the country are closely monitoring the developments in Baramati.

The Sharad Pawar faction lost their symbol after Election Commission (EC) recognised Ajit Pawar’s faction as the real NCP and gave the party name and ‘clock’ symbol to the faction led by Ajit Pawar. Supriya Sule claims that Ajit Pawar has allegedly took over the party under pressure from investigative agencies while her father Sharad Pawar built Baramati over five decades, much before the NCP was even formed.

Baramati is a predominantly rural constituency as 78 % of the electorate comes from the rural zones whereas 22 % of it comes from the urban zones. Baramati is a Hindu majority constituency, with 90 % Hindus. It also has a 5 % Muslim minority and the remaining 5 % representing other faiths. Scheduled Castes (SC) comprise 12.3 % whereas Scheduled Tribes (STs) are 2 % of the population.

(This story is part of a Timeline. internship project.)