Baramati battle: My fight ideological, not personal, says Supriya Sule on potential face-off with cousin Ajit Pawar's wife

Supriya Sule and Ajit Pawar. File photo

Baramati MP and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) working president Supriya Sule on Sunday responded to speculation about her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar being nominated against her in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Sule asserted there is nothing personal and the fight is ideological.

Sunetra is the wife of Supriya Sule's cousin and current Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also heads the rival faction of Nationalist Congress Party. Ajit Pawar led faction of NCP was announced as real NCP by election commission and assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar. Election Commission also allotted the party symbol 'clock' to Ajit Pawar faction.

Speaking with the media on Sunday, Sule also said that "anyone can contest elections in a democracy." The big battle for Baramati has intensified, with Lok Sabha polls ahead this year.

Her remarks came a day after publicity campaign vehicles in Baramati showcased pictures of Ajit Pawar and his wife Sunetra, starting speculations on her being the candidate of the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) for the constituency in the Lok Sabha.

Baramati is the bastion of NCP, which was repeatedly represented by Sharad Pawar and currently represented by his daughter, Supriya Sule. Ajit Pawar is also a seven-time MLA and one-term MP from Baramati.

Amid speculation about a potential face-off between his wife, Sunetra and sitting MP Supriya, Ajit Pawar said that the party cadre stands united in the Baramati constituency.

Sunetra Pawar is a social worker and hails from a political family. Her brother, Padamsinh Patil is senior politician and a former minister. She is the founder of the Environmental Forum of India, an NGO founded in 2010 and also serves as a trustee for the educational institution Vidya Prathishthan.

Speaking with the media in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, Ajit Pawar also said that the NCP candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections will be selected carefully after considering various aspects. He added that there is no rift in the party in Baramati.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP is part of the Mahayuti government, which also comprises Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP.