Early morning scenes at the party offices of NCP Ajit Pawar and NCP Sharad Pawar were very indicative of the results to come later in the day. As Ajit Pawar’s office was completely deserted except for one odd watchman at the door, in Sharad Pawar’s office every room was packed with his supporters glued to a TV, projector, and their phones tracking and reacting to the smallest vote counting updates.
NCP (SP) supporters had predicted very early in the morning that Supriya Sule would retain her seat. Their confidence meant firecrackers, sloganeering and tutari players in the street as early as 10.30 am. As the counting rounds progressed, the level of excitement and celebrations increased. By 2.30 pm, party workers brought big hoardings congratulating Supriya Sule on her win in Bhigwan Chowk and erected them with dhol-tasha beats in the background. The hoarding carried the slogan “Kaha tha na dil se, Supriya tai firse”.
Ever since Ajit Pawar had declared wife Sunetra Pawar to be the candidate of his party on March 30, the Baramati Lok Sabha seat became one of the most anticipated seats in Maharashtra. It was then a Pawar verus Pawar fight with Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s daughter, a three-time winner since 2009 and Sunetra, wife of Ajit Pawar, fighting her first election. It was reported that Baramatikars were caught in a tough spot having to choose between Tai and Vahini.
Popular opinions for the reason behind Sule’s win range from Baramatikars attribute to development of Baramati to national issues like BJP leaders’ constant remarks about amending the Constitution. But most of it was for Sharad Pawar, a man most say they can never leave behind. People still remember and are still upset about remarks by PM Modi and BJP leader Chandrakant Patil attacking Sharad Pawar during Lok Sabha rallies.
For the Constitution
Suresh Bhosale of Nira Wagaj said, “The country was built on the foundation of the Indian Constitution laid by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. BJP leaders’ constant comments saying they will make amendments to it has made a significant dent for the party”.
Loyalty Baramatikars feel towards Sharad Pawar
A party worker at the NCP (SP) office said, “Chandrakant Patil in his rally said their only aim is to defeat Sharad Pawar. The remark didn’t sit well with people.” Bhosale then adds, “Modi came here and called Pawar Saheb a ‘Bhatakti Aatma’. Do they really think people will forget that?” Prime Minister in his April 29 rally had called the NCP founder a “wandering soul” and had blamed him for the political instability in Maharashtra.
Development of Baramati
“Ajit Pawar ka office toh aaj khaali hi rahega, voh bas naam vaale hai, Kaamvaale toh Sharad Pawar and Supriya Tai hai (Ofcourse, Ajit Pawar’s office is empty today, he is just a fame seeker, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Tai are the ones who have actually done a lot of development work),” said Munnabhai Mulani from Khandoba Nagar, Baramati.
He said the lead that Sule is getting is a testimony of all the development that happened in her tenure like setting up of medical colleges. “All the developments that have happened in Baramati is because of Tai and Sharad Pawar. All the citizens know this and no Baramatikar can refute it, that’s why the win”, he said.
“Tai’s work is our biggest win”, said Dr BD Gaikwad, Maharashtra state Karya adhyaksha, Sahitya Kala Sanskrutik Vibhag, NCP(SP). He said the work Sharad Pawar has done as a leader over the years, taking the common man along with him at every step, is something people will never forget.
A win for minorities
Mubin Kureshi, a resident of Baramati says that Supriya Sule’s win is also a win for the minorities and they are very happy about it. Another resident, Dilnawaaz Kureshi said, “There is no doubt they have won because of people’s support. Till our last breath, we will support Sharad Pawar. In our hearts too like him it is about taking everyone along and not spread religious intolerance”.
“It is because of Sharad Pawar’s close contact with the people that this win happened. We are happy Supriya Tai is back in power. It gives us the faith that there won’t be any discrimination against minorities here, a confidence we can never have in Ajit Pawar”, said Shoib Altaf Bagwaan.
The Pawar family
Yugendra Pawar, son of Srinivas Pawar, who is the elder brother of Ajit Pawar, paid a visit to NCP (SP) office. Talking to the media he said, “I consider Pawar saheb my guru. He is the one who gave me a lot of opportunities, is known for the social work he has done. It doesn’t feel right to leave him behind at this age. I can never do that. In the last two to two-and-a-half months, I got whatever few people could gather and put a lot of effort in election campaigns. The results truly reflect that”. He also said that BJP’s loss in Maharashtra is due to various issues persistent in the state like unemployment and the fact that farmers in the state are burdened with financial losses.
Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, Yugendra had visited NCP (SP) office in February and had extended his support to Sharad Pawar. The visit had come after Ajit Pawar’s comment that he was feeling isolated in the Pawar family after joining hands with BJP-Shiv Sena.
The win comes even after the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) unveiled its new symbol only in February at Raigad Fort. It was a man blowing a tutari. This had come after the Election Commission of India had recognised the Aiit Pawar-led NCP faction as the real NCP and it was assigned the original clock symbol.
“The minute party split, we went from home to home telling people about the new symbol. Earlier, only three persons were in our office, today there was no place to sit. Earlier, only 10 percent Baramatikars knew me, now 70% do”, said Mahesh Rokade, as he waved and said hello to every other person passing in the streets.
By evening, everyone was fully immersed in gulaal and songs were played on speakers and people were dancing with Sharad Pawar placards in their hands.