Pune: After a setback in the Lok Sabha elections, the Mahayuti alliance has intensified preparations for the upcoming assembly elections, with each of the three ruling parties aiming to capture more seats.
A notable part of this strategy involves expanding influence into each other's strongholds through allied parties. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has strategically focused on Baramati, the traditional stronghold of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, with several prominent figures from Baramati and Yavatmal joining the Shinde Sena.
Suresh Tukaram Khalate and Vilas Devkate, directors of the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Factory in West Baramati, have joined Shinde Sena.
Additionally, influential farmers Ajit Jagtap and Ajit Kashinath Jagtap have also aligned with Shinde Sena, thanks to the efforts of Geetanjali Dhone, the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency contact chief for Shinde Sena.
Ajit Pawar's dominance in Baramati faced a major challenge after he parted ways with Sharad Pawar, failing to secure a victory for his wife Sunetra Pawar.
Sharad Pawar’s strategic move led to Supriya Sule’s victory, delivering a significant blow to Ajit Pawar in his own stronghold. Sharad Pawar is now strategizing to further undermine Ajit Pawar in the upcoming assembly elections, frequently visiting Baramati with his grandson Yugendra Pawar, who might be nominated to contest from Baramati, setting up a potential uncle-nephew rivalry.
While Sharad Pawar is keen on exploiting every opportunity to challenge Ajit Pawar in Baramati, the Lok Sabha results have given a substantial boost to Sharad Pawar's party.
Simultaneously, Shinde Sena's efforts to strengthen its presence in Baramati have intensified. During the Lok Sabha elections, Vijay Shivtare’s brief independent candidacy announcement had already caused concerns for Ajit Pawar.
Though Shivtare later withdrew, Shinde's renewed efforts in Baramati could pose significant future challenges for Ajit Pawar.
