'We are together at ... ': Sharad Pawar rules out joint election bid with nephew Ajit

NEW DELHI: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Monday addressed the possibility of the uncle-nephew duo, himself and Ajit Pawar, contesting the upcoming assembly elections together. Speaking at a press conference in Chiplun, Pawar clarified that while they remain united as a family, they will not be contesting elections as a team.
"Gharat tari ekatrach ahet (we are together at home)," Pawar said in response to questions about the calls for the two to reunite politically.He made it clear, however, that Ajit Pawar is heading a separate political entity.
Last year, Ajit Pawar parted ways with his uncle to join the Eknath Shinde-led government as deputy chief minister. Sharad Pawar's remarks come amid speculations about Ajit Pawar’s role in the ruling alliance.
Recently, Ajit remarked that having his wife, Sunetra Pawar, contest against Supriya Sule in Baramati was a mistake. When asked for his reaction, Sharad Pawar declined to comment, saying, "He is in a different party. Why should we comment on decisions taken by another party?"
When questioned about the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance's choice for a chief ministerial candidate, Pawar downplayed the issue, saying, "I don't think it is an urgent matter at the moment."
He drew a parallel to the post-Emergency elections, noting that Morarji Desai was not named as the PM candidate before polling. Pawar pointed out that the MVA’s goal is to offer a progressive alternative in Maharashtra, collaborating with parties like the Samajwadi Party and the Peasants and Workers Party.
Regarding Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s allegation that substandard ghee with "animal fat" was used to make prasad laddoos at Tirupati temple, Pawar stated, "If anything was mixed, it is very wrong and action should be taken against those involved."
This comes as Ajit Pawar faces an uncertain path within the governing Mahayuti alliance after the BJP disregarded his party's request to appoint Praful Patel, a veteran leader, to a Cabinet minister position. As Maharashtra soon heads to polls, Ajit Pawar knows that he faces an uphill task to regain the lost ground.