Ajit Pawar’s Son Jay Poised to Enter Baramati Politics, Fuelling Pawar Family Rivalry

As political temperatures rise ahead of Baramati municipal elections in Pune district, strong indications have emerged that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s younger son, Jay Pawar, may contest for the president’s post of the Baramati Municipal Council. The position, reserved for the general category, is yet to see an official announcement from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) or the Pawar family, but political circles are abuzz with speculation about Jay’s election debut.​

Ajit Pawar, a prominent figure in the BJP-led Maha Yuti alliance and an eight-time MLA from Baramati, comes from a politically influential family. His wife Sunetra is a Rajya Sabha member, while his elder son had unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha seat from Maval in 2019. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar’s daughter and NCP Working President Supriya Sule retained the Baramati Lok Sabha seat for a fourth consecutive term in 2024, defeating Ajit Pawar’s wife Sunetra. These developments underscore the complex and sometimes fractious political dynamics between the Pawar factions surrounding Baramati.​

The upcoming municipal elections mark the first local body polls since the 2023 split within the Nationalist Congress Party, which has resulted in competing loyalties and heightened factionalism. Should Jay Pawar contest the civic chief position, it would set the stage for a potentially fierce “Pawar versus Pawar” contest, bringing family rivalries into the political spotlight once again. Party leaders and observers are watching closely to see how this contest unfolds and the impact it may have on local governance and the broader state political landscape.​

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While the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has adopted a cautious response to questions on Jay Pawar’s candidacy, with spokespersons emphasizing internal democratic decision-making, the move is seen as a strategic attempt by Ajit Pawar’s camp to solidify its foothold in Baramati’s politics. The outcome could influence both local power equations and the state’s political future as Maharashtra gears up for more key elections.​

As Baramati holds significant sentimental and electoral importance for the Pawar family, all eyes will remain on Jay Pawar’s potential entry into formal politics and how this development shapes intra-family relations and the broader NCP dynamics in coming months.

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