Ajit Pawar Rallies Support Ahead of Maharashtra Assembly Elections

Ajit Pawar, NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, addressed a rally in Baramati, urging support for the Mahayuti alliance in upcoming elections. Pawar emphasized welfare schemes and refuted opposition claims. He assured support for farmers, women, and youth, and highlighted efforts to raise MSP for sugar.

NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday sounded the bugle for the assembly elections from Baramati, the stronghold of Sharad Pawar, by highlighting various welfare schemes, including financial aid for women, to garner votes for the Mahayuti alliance.

Pawar urged Nationalist Congress Party workers to trust him and dismiss ''false narratives,'' particularly those suggesting attempts to alter the Constitution, propagated by opponents.

''During the upcoming elections (due in October), some will try to create false narratives. Till we are alive no one will dare to change the Constitution,'' he declared.

As the holder of the finance portfolio in the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government, Pawar emphasized the recently launched ''Mazi Ladki Bahin Yojana,'' which provides a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women.

He stated his belief in using political power for the welfare of the poor, farmers, and women, a philosophy reflected in the recent budget.

''Poverty alleviation and development are my party's agenda, unlike my opponents who focus on spreading fake narratives,'' he asserted.

The budget also includes measures like three free LPG cylinders, free college education for girls, free electricity for farmers, and skilled entrepreneurship for youth, aiming to ensure the welfare of all sections of society.

Conscious of the negative impact of the ban on onion exports on the previous Lok Sabha poll outcome, Pawar said he had requested Union Minister Amit Shah to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of sugar. He also urged NCP workers to beware of ''false propaganda'' about the import of milk powder and onions.

''Shah has asked me to submit a report on the MSP hike demand. He is visiting Pune on July 21. We must now aim to make Mumbai the finance capital of the world,'' said Pawar.

Pawar's choice of Baramati for his rally is significant, given his wife Sunetra Pawar's previous electoral defeat in this Lok Sabha seat to Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) surprised the ruling Mahayuti — comprising BJP, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar-led NCP — by winning 30 of the 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra in the 2024 elections.

''Do not worry. Rallies will be held across the state. Vote for the Mahayuti alliance in the upcoming assembly elections,'' Pawar urged.

In a pointed remark at the Opposition, he asked NCP workers to ignore misleading campaigns ahead of elections.

''Problems aren't solved emotionally; one should move forward with a vision. I assure you, nobody will touch or change the Constitution of India,'' Pawar concluded.

He underscored that political power is not permanent and should serve those in need.

Several NCP leaders, including Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil, Sunil Tatkare, and Dhananjay Munde, attended the rally.

(With inputs from agencies.)