"Baramati contest is not between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar but...": Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the contest on the Baramati Lok Sabha seat is not between the NCP (SCP) Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, adding that the battle here will be fought between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that the contest on the Baramati Lok Sabha seat is not between the NCP (SCP) Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, adding that the battle here will be fought between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Addressing a public rally in Pune, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "Many people think that the fight on Baramati Lok Sabha seat is between Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar or Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar but let me tell you, this fight is not between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar. This fight is between PM Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi."

He also emphasised that the results of the Baramati Lok Sabha seat won't make a major difference to the Mahayuti alliance at the national level but it is needed to strengthen Prime Minister Modi, who is walking the path of development. "Whoever gets elected will not make major changes at the country level, but this fight is for someone who can support the one who will bring about changes in the country. If a candidate of Mahayuti gets elected, it will strengthen Prime Minister Modi. But if you see Supriya Sule in the last 10 years having opposed all the decisions made by Prime Minister Modi, which were for the betterment of the nation, you all know all the decisions taken by Prime Minister Modi were for the development of the poor and all the decisions were historic," he said.

Fadnavis termed Rahul Gandhi's ideology "anti-social and against development". "This fight is not against Sharad Pawar. The voters of Baramati have to decide whether they will support the member of Parliament who walks along the development journey of Prime Minister Modi or Rahul Gandhi, whose ideology is anti-social and to derail the development agenda of the government," he said.

The Baramati seat in Pune district has become a key battleground in Maharashtra's Lok Sabha election after candidates from both the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions of the Nationalist Congress Party were announced, turning it into a 'Pawar versus Pawar' contest. Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party announced Sunetra Pawar's candidature from the seat against Sharad Pawar-led Supriya Sule.

The Baramati Lok Sabha constituency has been a stronghold of Sharad Pawar since the 1960s, Ajit Pawar has been a successful MLA from Baramati since 1991, with a significant victory in the 2019 elections and is said to have had a major influence on the Vidhan Sabha seats of Indapur, Daund, Purandar, Bhor, and Khadakwasla, which come under Baramati Lok Sabha. Supriya Sule will be contesting this seat for the third time, while Sunetra Pawar will be making her political debut in this election. Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra will be held in five phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13 and May 20.

The counting of votes will be held on June 4. The state, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, is the second-largest contributor to the lower house of Parliament after Uttar Pradesh. Known for its political diversity and significant electoral influence, Maharashtra plays a crucial role in shaping national politics. (ANI)

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