By Tejas Navale
Pune, November 15, 2024: As the state assembly election draws near, the political climate has reached fever pitch, with leaders hurling accusations, counter-accusations, and strategic revelations. With less than a week to go, political discussions have gripped the state, turning everyday conversations into debates about party loyalties and election outcomes.
Amid this charged atmosphere, veteran leader and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) president Sharad Pawar has intensified his campaign, holding two to three rallies daily. In a fiery display, he has been targeting opponents with sharp attacks. Yesterday, while campaigning in the Shirur-Haveli assembly constituency, Sharad Pawar took the stage to rally support for sitting MLA Ashok Pawar.
During his speech, Sharad Pawar unleashed a scathing critique of his nephew and rival, Ajit Pawar. Referencing Ajit’s recent campaign remarks, Sharad Pawar mimicked his nephew’s tone and rhetoric, turning the crowd into fits of laughter. He said, “Looking at the people’s support, we are not concerned about the constituency’s development. But we are concerned about outsiders coming here and threatening to shut down the sugar factory.” The remark was a direct jibe at Ajit Pawar’s earlier statement, warning Ashok Pawar about his alleged mismanagement of the local sugar cooperative.
Sharad Pawar’s mimicry also referenced Ajit Pawar’s campaign during the Lok Sabha elections. At that time, Ajit Pawar had accused Ashok Pawar over his ambitions for ministership over effective governance and warned to defeat him in the election. Sharad Pawar in his rally highlighted this comment, ridiculing Ajit Pawar and reaffirming his support for Ashok Pawar.
Sharad Pawar’s recent attacks have demonstrated the deeply personal and high-stakes nature of this election. Earlier, in the Ambegaon constituency, he labelled Dilip Walse Patil, a former loyalist of senior Pawar, as a “traitor,” urging voters to defeat him.