Lok Sabha elections 2019: Ajit, Sharad Pawar meet dissidents to get support

The NCP has a good base in Pimpri and Chinchwad, but in the other constituencies its either the Shetakari Kamgar party or the saffron allies that hold sway.

As the dust settles around Parth Pawar contesting the elections from Maval, his NCP relatives - father, Ajit Pawar and grand uncle, Sharad Pawar - have begun to wield their political influence to ensure Parth is elected member of parliament in 2019.

Sharad Pawar (centre) and Ajit Pawar (left), both NCP head honchos, wear at the political rally in Chinchwad on Sunday, to launch Parth Pawar’s poll campaign. (HT Photo)

Sharad Pawar, NCP president and Ajit Pawar have met multiple party dissidents over the weekend to ensure the full force of the party is behind the candidate in Maval.

Ajit Pawar spent last week in Maval, visiting each assembly constituency that falls under the Lok Sabha constituency.

Maval has six assembly constituencies - Panvel, Karjat, Uran, Maval, Chinchwad and Pimpri. The NCP has a good base in Pimpri and Chinchwad, but in the other constituencies its either the Shetakari Kamgar party or the saffron allies that hold sway.

Ajit met Azam Pansare, former NCP leader now with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), seeking his support. The NCP leader has also personally appealed to the Congress to work for Parth, who is likely to be pitted against Shiv Sena’s Shrirang Barne in Maval.

Also addressing the rally at Chinchwad, Ajit Pawar appealed to party workers to ensure their support to the “one candidate” does not falter at the time of voting.

In terms of star power, with Baramati more or less “safe’ with Sharad Pawar’ daughter Supriya Sule, Maval constituency becomes the main attraction in the state.