BARAMATI
: Torn between the party and the patriarch, residents of the Pawars’ town headed either to the Christian Colony
ground
or the field at Kasba on a scorching Sunday afternoon after days of soul-searching.
As the clock ticked, the gathering grew for the final
rally
of NCP’s Baramati Lok Sabha seat candidate Sunetra
Pawar
at the Christian Colony ground.
Barely 2.5km away, supporters of
NCP
(SCP) candidate Supriya Sule huddled at Kasba ground to hear veteran politician Sharad Pawar and entourage on the last day of campaigning before the election on Tuesday.
“Baramati has a tradition of Pawar family members addressing voters at the Christian Colony ground on the last day of electioneering. This time, the family is divided, voters are confused and now, there are two rallies,” said cab driver Dattatreya Danve.
“My mind told me to go to NCP’s rally because Ajit Pawar has a personal connection with the people of Baramati. But my soul brought me to Kasba because of senior Pawar’s years of association with the town,” said Deiter Sebastian of Christian Colony.
The intriguing family feud playing out on the Pawars’ home turf cast its spell on baffled Baramati residents even on the concluding day of electioneering. “If I go to the traditional site of NCP’s pre-poll final rally, I shall miss senior Pawar’s speech. Going to the Kasba ground will mean breaking the tradition,” says Imtiyaz Ahmed.
“The venue doesn’t matter. We were with Sharad Pawar, we are still with him,” says Tukaram Salunkhe, a private firm employee, on the sidelines of Sule’s rally as the mercury marched to 42°C and a drone passed by sprinkling water on her supporters.
There have been differences within some Baramati families over attending the last day’s rallies. “I am with Sharad Pawar and Sule, while my father is with Ajit Pawar. Even at this age, senior Pawar is working with so much enthusiasm,” Prateeksha Chavan, an MPharm student, said.
“I have come here to hear senior Pawar, but I shall vote for Sunetra,” said Chavan’s father, accompanying her to Sule’s rally.
In this politically charged constituency, the last day of campaigning witnessed a dramatic showdown between political titans.
