On Wife’s Baramati Defeat To Cousin Supriya Sule, Ajit Pawar Says This

Mumbai: 

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday took full responsibility for the NCP’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls and asserted the defeat in Baramati, viewed as a prestige battle, was surprising.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting of his party MLAs, Mr Pawar said all legislators were firmly with him and rejected speculation that some were planning to defect to the faction led by Sharad Pawar.

“The opposition can say anything. I have always had the support of the people. My MLAs, MLCs have assured me they will always stand by me,” he said

Speaking about Baramati, where sitting MP Supriya Sule defeated his wife Sunetra Pawar by a huge margin, the deputy CM said, “The result is surprising since I always had the support of the people there.” Queried about whether he would once again join hands with NCP founder Sharad Pawar, he tersely said he accepted responsibility for the poll debacle, adding “there is no need to bring family matters in public”.

Asserting there would be detailed introspection of the party’s poll performance, the NCP president said some of the reasons included Muslims moving away from the ruling alliance, the Opposition’s allegations of change in Constitution, which alienated the Dalits and backward classes, as well as ongoing Maratha quota stir in Marathwada.

Mr Pawar said he had discussed the results with chief minister Eknath Shinde and asserted appropriate decisions would be taken to win back the support of the people.