Ajit Pawar admits mistake in Baramati; Supriya Sule offers no comment

Mumbai: The tussle within the Pawar family was evident during the Lok Sabha elections in Baramati as two close relatives were contesting the poll. NCP (SP) sitting MP Supriya Sule was the opposition candidate while her sister-in-law and DyCM Ajit Pawar’s wife and NCP (AP) and ruling alliance candidate Sunetra Pawar was her nearest rival. Sule won with a big margin.

Now, Ajit Pawar has apparently admitted his mistake of fielding Sunetra Pawar from Baramati. Supriya Sule has reacted to this.

Ajit Pawar has become media-savvy. He is wearing a pink jacket and touring across the State. He is appealing to his dear sisters to vote for his party.

Speaking to a Marathi news channel, he said, “It was a mistake to field my wife Sunetra from Baramati in the Lok Sabha poll. All my sisters are dear to me. Politics is at its place. But all my sisters are dear to me. Many families are in politics. But politics should not be allowed to enter into the family. I made a mistake. I should not have pitted my wife against my sister.

“My party’s parliamentary board decided to field Sunetra Pawar from Baramati. Today, my mind tells me that it should not have happened.”

When brought her attention to Ajit Pawar’s statement, Sule said, “I have neither heard nor read his statement. I hear it from you. Therefore, ‘Ram Krishna Hari’ (no comments).”

Ajit Pawar’s admission a few days ahead of Raksha Bandhan triggered discussions in political circles. Reporters asked Ajit Pawar if he would meet sister Supriya Sule on Rakhi Pournima day. He replied, “I am on a tour of the State. If I happen to be in the city where my sister lives on that day, I will definitely meet her.”