Pune, 7 October: In a major political development that could reshape Maharashtra’s political dynamics, speculation is rife that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar may contest the upcoming Shirur Vidhan Sabha election, leaving behind his long-standing constituency of Baramati. This news has stirred the political arena, with reports suggesting that Pawar could make the shift to Shirur, currently a hotbed of political activity.

As Maharashtra prepares for the 2024 Assembly elections, all political parties have started gearing up for candidate selection. According to reports from leading media outlets, Pawar’s decision to possibly contest from Shirur instead of Baramati is seen as a strategic move, aligning with shifting voter sentiments in the region. The Shirur seat, traditionally held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), might now see a fierce contest with Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) eyeing the constituency.

Why Shirur?

Ajit Pawar has been a political heavyweight in Baramati for decades, winning the Assembly elections consistently since 1991. However, following changes in the political climate after the Lok Sabha elections, there have been signs of Pawar considering a change in his political base. His subtle hints about stepping away from Baramati have now given way to speculation that Shirur might be his new electoral battleground.

Currently, Ashok Pawar represents the Shirur Vidhan Sabha constituency, a member of the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP. Interestingly, after the split within the NCP in July 2023, most of the party’s MLAs in Pune district aligned with Ajit Pawar, except Ashok Pawar, who continues to back Sharad Pawar.

The Political Implications

Ajit Pawar’s potential shift to Shirur Vidhan Sabha could significantly alter the political equations in the region. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which has not yet conducted interviews for aspiring candidates in Shirur, may face stiff competition if Ajit Pawar decides to contest from this seat.

The upcoming elections in Shirur could become a key focal point for political analysts, with voters eager to see whether Pawar’s move will impact the dynamics of both Baramati and Shirur. In Baramati, questions loom over who will represent the NCP’s clock symbol and Sharad Pawar’s tutari symbol, if Ajit Pawar opts to contest from Shirur.