Lok Sabha Elections: Sharad Pawar Declares Supriya Sule As Party Candidate From Baramati Seat

Sharad Pawar declared MP Supriya Sule as their candidate from Maharashtra’s Baramati Lok Sabha seat amid speculation that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar could be fielded from there.

Lok Sabha Elections: Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) president Sharad Pawar on Saturday declared MP Supriya Sule as their candidate from Maharashtra’s Baramati Lok Sabha seat, as reported by news agency PTI. This comes amid speculation that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra Pawar, could be fielded from there. Sule is a three-term MP from Baramati.

Pawar made the announcement during a rally organised by the opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghadi in Bhor tehsil of Pune district. Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT) was also present at the event. He said that the Election Commission will announce the Lok Sabha poll schedule on March 14 or March 15. The poll body has allotted the “man blowing turha (a traditional trumpet)” symbol to his outfit.

“The elections will decide the future of our country. Nobody was so anxious about the future of the country so far, but now a change is needed. Today, PM Modi is not paying any attention towards farmer suicides. Instead, he is focussing all his attention only on Gujarat,” he said, as quoted by PTI.

The NCP (SP) leader also accused the government of misusing its power. “PM Modi is giving us which guarantee? Neither black money was brought back nor any work is being done. Today, farmers are agitating but PM Modi is not paying any attention. Inflation and unemployment have become serious problems in our country, he said.

Pawar also said, “If you think the situation should be in control, now is the time. When you go to cast your vote, press the ‘tutari’ (his party’s symbol) button. Today, I declare Supriya Sule as our candidate for the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency”.

During his address, Sharad Pawar turned to Bhor MLA Sangram Thopte of Congress and said that he would support the legislator. Sangram’s father Anantrao Thopte represented Bhor in the assembly six times before a shock defeat in 1999. He was known as one of Pawar’s rivals within the Congress when the latter was with the grand old party.

“Sangram Thopte, whatever work you will do for your tehsil, state or country, I'll always support you. We had different paths earlier but now that you are with us, I’ll show you real development,” he said, as quoted by PTI. Congress is one of the partners in MVA.

On March 1, Sunetra Pawar had met Congress veteran Anantrao Thopte at his home in Bhor. Sangram Thopte, however, had denied that the meeting had any political significance.