Rohit Pawar Joins Campaign for Aunt Sunetra in Baramati Bypoll, Highlights Family Unity
In a significant political development, NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, the grandnephew of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, actively participated in the election campaign for his aunt and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar in Baramati on Wednesday. This move comes despite Rohit's previous support for opposing candidates in recent elections, signaling a shift towards family solidarity in the high-stakes bypoll.
Independent Campaigning Without Cousin Jay Pawar
Rohit Pawar conducted his campaign activities independently, holding meetings and rallies without joining his cousin Jay Pawar, Sunetra's son, who has also been campaigning extensively in the constituency. "Jay is campaigning as a representative of his party and I am campaigning as a family member. Since we both are campaigning in different areas of the constituency, we can cover more areas," Rohit explained, emphasizing their strategic division of efforts to maximize outreach.
Past Political Rivalries and Current Reconciliation
The campaign marks a notable reconciliation, as Rohit had previously campaigned against Sunetra Pawar during the 2024 Lok Sabha election, supporting his aunt Supriya Sule for the Baramati seat. He had also aggressively campaigned against the late Ajit Pawar during assembly polls. Reflecting on this change, Rohit stated, "I am campaigning in Baramati not as an MLA but as Ajit Pawar's nephew. Sunetra kaki has already won the election but the Pawar family's efforts will be to ensure she wins the seat by the highest-ever margin."
Family Dynamics and Campaign Coordination
Jay Pawar expressed positivity about Rohit's involvement, saying, "In the last (Lok Sabha and assembly) election, Rohit campaigned for the other NCP group but it feels nice that he is campaigning for my mother. We are both currently campaigning in different parts of Baramati. If our schedule works out, we may address some meetings together." However, no joint meetings or rallies were held on Wednesday, with both focusing on separate areas to enhance campaign coverage.
NCP (SP) Strategic Withdrawal and Sharad Pawar's Role
Following the announcement of the bypolls by the Election Commission of India, the NCP (SP) immediately declared it would not contest the seat. While its MVA ally Congress initially fielded a candidate, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule, along with Rohit, convinced the party to withdraw its candidate against Sunetra. Despite this, Sharad Pawar and Supriya have remained absent from the campaign trail so far.
When questioned about Sharad Pawar's potential involvement, Rohit clarified, "Pawar Saheb decided not to put up a candidate in Baramati and he also convinced Congress to withdraw from the contest. He has already played a key role and supported Sunetra kaki. As head of the Pawar family, he has already fulfilled his responsibility."
Campaign Timeline and Bypoll Details
The Baramati bypoll voting is scheduled for April 23, with Rohit Pawar expected to remain in the constituency for three to four days to bolster Sunetra's campaign. This bypoll has garnered significant attention due to the complex family and political dynamics within the Pawar clan, highlighting the interplay between personal relationships and electoral strategies in Maharashtra politics.
The campaign efforts underscore a concerted push to secure a decisive victory for Sunetra Pawar, with family members rallying support despite historical political divisions. The outcome of this bypoll will be closely watched as a barometer of the Pawar family's influence and unity in the region.
