Pune: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jay Pawar on Thursday stated that his mother, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, will contest the Baramati assembly election in 2029. He also expressed optimism that she could emerge as the chief ministerial face of the party.
Jay Pawar's Statement
Speaking to reporters after holding a janata darbar in Baramati, an initiative originally started by his father Ajit Pawar, Jay said, "During my recent interactions with colleagues and party workers, many expressed a desire to see Ajitdada as chief minister at least once. Now Vahini (Sunetra Pawar) is also working hard. I believe she will contest the 2029 assembly election from Baramati, and we all hope she becomes the chief minister."
Background
Jay Pawar was responding to questions about the likely candidate from the Pawar family for the Baramati seat in 2029. His cousin Yugendra Pawar, who contested against Ajit Pawar in the 2024 assembly election on an NCP (SP) ticket, had earlier stated that the voters of Baramati would decide their future representative. Sunetra Pawar, who was elected national president of the NCP following the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28, was elected to the assembly from Baramati in a bypoll held last month.
Janata Darbar Initiative
Jay had earlier mentioned a growing demand among party workers and local residents for him to contest the Baramati seat. However, on Thursday, he clarified that he currently wants to work among the people as a party worker, which is why he started the janata darbar initiative. He announced that the janata darbar will now be held every Thursday to address issues faced by residents, similar to the public outreach meetings conducted by his father Ajit Pawar.
On Thursday, several residents from the Baramati constituency approached Jay with their grievances. He subsequently contacted officials from the state and district administration and sought immediate resolution of the issues.
