Ajit Pawar's wife vs Supriya Sule contest from Baramati in Lok Sabha poll? Who is Sunetra Pawar?

Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's wife, comes from a political family — her brother Padamsinh Patil is a senior politician and former minister.

Published on: Feb 17, 2024, 06:51:00 IST

By HT News Desk

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The upcoming Lok Sabha election is poised to be a highly anticipated showdown in Maharashtra's Baramati. There's a high possibility of a head-to-head contest within the Pawar family in the election. On Friday, without naming names, deputy chief minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar made an emotional appeal to his constituents to elect a “first timer” who is though surrounded by “experienced people.” Ajit Pawar’s speech fuelled speculation that the party will field his wife Sunetra Pawar against his cousin, Supriya Sule, who is the incumbent Baramati MP.

Sunetra Pawar has already begun a publicity campaign in the Baramati constituency and is likely to be pitted against sitting Supriya Sule, the daughter of seasoned leader Sharad Pawar. Supriya Sule has represented the Baramati constituency for three consecutive terms since 2009 and was Rajya Sabha member before that from 2006 to 2009.

Who is Sunetra Pawar?

Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar's wife, comes from a political family — her brother Padamsinh Patil is a senior politician and former minister.
Sunetra and Ajit Pawar have two sons — Jay and Parth Pawar. While Jay looks after the family business, Parth, who has political ambitions, lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Maval, Deccan Herald reported.
Sunetra Pawar is known for her social work in Baramati.
Her official website says Sunetra Pawar is the founder of the Environmental Forum of India, an NGO founded in 2010. She was a mentor in inculcating the concept of the eco-village in India.
The website also says Sunetra Pawar serves as a trustee for the indigenous and well-known educational institution Vidya Pratishthan.
Sunetra Pawar has been a think tank member of the World Entrepreneurship Forum in France since 2011, the website says.
Reportedly, Ajit Pawar has been actively endorsing Sunetra Pawar's work in Baramati. A promotional vehicle, displaying her photo, has been moeving in the area. Additionally, flex banners showcasing prominent images of the couple have been affixed to the vehicle.

Baramati constituency and Pawars

Sharad Pawar had won the Maharashtra legislative assembly elections from Baramati seat in 1967, 1972, 1978, 1980, 1985 and 1990 and the Lok Sabha polls from Baramati in 1984, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2004, from Madha in 2009, and had also won two Rajya Sabha elections from his home state of Maharashtra.
The Baramati Lok Sabha seat has been represented for the last three terms by Supriya Sule.
Ajit Pawar had won the Baramati Lok Sabha elections in 1991 and later, won seven Vidhan Sabha terms: 1991, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019.

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HT News Desk
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