Photo: ABP Majha

Tejas Navale

Pune: Time and again, it has been proven that Maharashtra's politics revolve more around Baramati than Mumbai. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections also, we witnessed a contest in Baramati that got more attention than any other seat in the state or, for that matter, a country, where, for the first time, two members of the Pawar family were against each other. This time, however, Baramati is again back in the news, but this time because of a banner.

In Baramati city, a banner displayed by some people features photos of the entire Pawar family. The banner includes images of Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Sunetra Pawar, and Rohit Pawar. This banner has raised eyebrows across the state.

This is because, in June 2023, Ajit Pawar severed ties with his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra alongside the BJP and Shiv Sena. This move led to a clear division within the Pawar family. The rift intensified when Ajit Pawar fielded his wife, Sunetra Pawar, against his cousin Supriya Sule for the Baramati Lok Sabha seat.

During the election campaign and on multiple occasions before, Ajit Pawar publicly criticised his uncle, Sharad Pawar. However, these remarks did not sit well with the residents of Baramati. Ultimately, Sunetra Pawar lost the Baramati Lok Sabha seat by a margin of more than 1.5 lakh. This defeat was considered a significant blow to Ajit Pawar's influence in Baramati.

Following the victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Sharad Pawar has begun preparations for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections by holding meetings and reaching out to people. This has led to speculation that Baramati might once again witness a Pawar vs. Pawar battle, with a high likelihood of Yugendra Pawar, nephew of Ajit Pawar, contesting against him.

However, a banner in Baramati, put up to welcome devotees of Vaari, has reignited doubts among the people of Baramati and across the state. While the banner is not explicitly political, political experts are interpreting potential political messages from it. Meanwhile, Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar are expected to come together for an 'Aarti Sohala' after the palanquin ceremony in Baramati.