Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is one of the youngest politicians in the country and represents the aspirations of young India. His advocacy for business-friendly economic policies is in sync with the young Indians’ economic thought. His push for infrastructure development is the need of the hour for the country. Apart from being a progress oriented leader, he’s also a shrewd politician. Baramati, the bastion of Pawars, which used to be cakewalk for the family, looks a tough ride in upcoming general election. A loss in Baramati can prove to be fatal for the presence of the family in the state.
The Pawar family usually came to the constituency on the last day of campaigning, but in this election, they are holding four to five rallies per day. Parth Pawar, grandnephew of Sharad Pawar and son of former minister Ajit Pawar, is contesting from Maval Lok sabha constituency. The Pawar family is so worried about their defeat that Ajit Pawar has personally contacted 80 BJP and 5 Shiv Sena corporators, requesting a helping hand to secure victory for his son.
Fadnavis is determined to end the NCP domination in Western Maharashtra (Pune region). Surpriya Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, won the 2009 general election by huge margin of 3 lakh votes. The party recorded highest ever tally in Lok Sabha in 2009 general election but in 2014, the vote difference was reduced to just 70 thousand. Amit Shah, president of the ruling party is expected to hold a rally in the state very soon. Earlier PM Modi was to hold the rally but it was cancelled due to his hectic schedule. But he has told the leadership that Pawar’s daughter must be defeated.
“We were leaving after a hectic meeting in Delhi that got over at 2.15 am; this was when Modi ji called me back and asked me to call Deven (Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis) as well. He (Modi) told us, dada bitiya girni chahiye,” (the daughter should be defeated) said PM Modi to Maharashtra BJP minister Chandrakant Patil.
Fadnavis is also keen to snatch the family bastion of Pawars and bring a change there. He campaigned in the constituency and huge crowd came to attend the rally. The agricultural reforms and the economic development in the state have made Fadnavis very popular among the locals. “Baramati is set to create history this time! And I can see that everybody wants to be part to be this historic #LokSabhElections2019 ! Even united 56 parties can not stop @BJP4Maharashtra from creating history this time! #IndiaBoleModiDobara,” tweeted Fadnavis.
Baramati is set to create history this time!
And I can see that everybody wants to be part to be this historic #LokSabhElections2019 !
Even united 56 parties can not stop @BJP4Maharashtra from creating history this time! #IndiaBoleModiDobara pic.twitter.com/yGEMIN1InW
— Devendra Fadnavis (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 17, 2019
This is Saswad, Baramati – the heartland of NCP leader @PawarSpeaks
Look at the crowd @Dev_Fadnavis attracted…#LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/fJCYlvPSl9— Smita Deshmukh🇮🇳 (@smitadeshmukh) April 17, 2019
Visuals from my rally at Supa yesterday in Baramati LokSabha Constituency. #HarVoteModiKo pic.twitter.com/GIPAHy0C2G
— Devendra Fadnavis (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 14, 2019
Maharashtra is the best example of how politicians manipulate policies to reap political dividends. Sharad Pawar, built a political base and business empire by influencing the agriculture and related industries through policy manipulation. The credit cooperative societies, sugar mills, Agriculture Market Produce Committee (APMC) were the instruments for Sharad Pawar to build the power base in the politics of the state. If any party wants to dismantle the clout of the Pawar family, first the ‘instruments’ need to be broken and Fadnavis, the young leader, is successfully doing this.
He is removing the ‘middlemen’ from agriculture sector and bringing free market policies to deregulate the sector. This has ended the clout of NCP in the region and 2019 general election is expected to prove the death knell for the political career of Pawar dynasty.
Sir people don’t realise the level to which caste politics is polarised in Maharashtra. There are lot of undercurrents and layers which somehow no body discusses.