Pune: Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and a key figure in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has stirred speculation by indicating that he may not contest future elections from his long-held Baramati constituency.

Reflecting on his extensive political career, Pawar expressed satisfaction with his achievements and suggested that it might be time for Baramati to elect a new representative.

During an address in Baramati, Ajit Pawar, who recently turned 65, said, "I am content with my journey. I believe that the people of Baramati should, at least once, have an MLA other than me. You can then compare my tenure from 1991 to 2024 with that of the new leader."

This statement has fueled speculation about Pawar’s potential retirement from active politics in Baramati, where he has held sway for over three decades.

The veteran politician also touched upon his human side, stating that despite all the developmental work he has done in Baramati, he occasionally wonders if the voters may still make a different choice.

"I have been in politics for 33-34 years. I can now even send another MP to the Rajya Sabha. In the past, the Parliamentary Committee had nominated Sunetra Pawar and Praful Patel. We also made Rajesh Vitekar and Shivajirao Garje MLAs. But if there is any twist in the upcoming results like last time, I’ll say, ‘A closed fist is worth a fortune,’" Pawar remarked.

His comments come in the wake of his wife, Sunetra Pawar, losing the Lok Sabha election from Baramati to Supriya Sule, who garnered the highest vote margin in the constituency, which has been Pawar’s stronghold.

This defeat has led to speculation that it may influence the upcoming assembly elections, with many wondering if Ajit Pawar himself will step aside.