The protean nature of Maharashtra’s politics is finding its strongest echo in the high-stakes Baramati Lok Sabha constituency, which is witnessing an intense battle between rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) clans led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar who are vying for the attentions of their erstwhile political foes.
The 83-year-old Sharad Pawar, whose party was split by his mercurial nephew in July last year, has thrust himself in frenetic electoral campaigning to secure the political future of his daughter Supriya Sule, the incumbent three-term MP of Baramati, who is the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) candidate.
Ms. Sule is pitted against her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, Ajit’s wife and the ruling Mahayuti’s candidate in what promises to be one of the most keenly fought electoral contests in the country. Baramati goes for election in the third phase on May 7.
