Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar face off in Baramati’s sugar cooperative elections – a political rivalry rooted in legacy, leadership, and rural power. #PuneriPages
Introduction
Baramati, a stronghold of Maharashtra’s political heavyweights, has become the epicenter of a fierce intra-family political rivalry. The battleground? The Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill elections, where over 90 candidates are vying for 21 key seats. The stakes are not just agricultural or cooperative—this election could reshape the political landscape of the region. With Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and veteran NCP leader Sharad Pawar backing rival panels, the showdown has garnered attention across the state.
Table of Contents
1. Background of the Contest
The Political Camps:
- Ajit Pawar has re-entered sugar cooperative politics after nearly four decades, fielding candidates under the “Nilkantheshwar Panel.”
- Sharad Pawar, patriarch of the original NCP, supports the rival “Baliraja Sahakar Bachao Panel,” emphasizing grassroots cooperative values.
- Third Panel: Ranjan Taware’s “Sahakar Bachav Shetkari Panel” and whispers of a possible BJP-supported faction add a third dimension to the elections.
2. The Significance of Sugar Cooperatives
Sugar mills are not just economic engines in rural Maharashtra—they’re political powerhouses. With 19,000+ farmer members, these cooperatives control votes, resources, and local leadership pipelines.
3. Election Details
- Election Date: June 22, 2025
- Result Date: June 24, 2025
- Seats: 21 Board of Directors
- Total Candidates: 90+
- Controversies: Discovery of a voter list linked to Ajit Pawar’s PDCC Bank sparked allegations of misconduct, prompting demands for an SIT probe from the Sharad camp.
4. Voter Base & Power Dynamics
| Camp | Leadership | Support Base | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nilkantheshwar | Ajit Pawar | Institutional members, loyalists | Tech-driven, leadership-centric |
| Baliraja Sahakar | Sharad Pawar | Traditional farmers, cooperatives | Ethics & cooperative roots |
| Sahakar Bachav | Ranjan Taware | Dissatisfied local voters | Farmer-first, independent |
5. Why This Battle Matters
- It’s a symbolic clash between generations, ideologies, and leadership styles.
- Ajit Pawar seeks to consolidate control over Baramati, while Sharad Pawar aims to preserve his legacy and local influence.
- The poll results could set the tone for future civic and assembly elections in Maharashtra.
6. Notable Quotes
- Ajit Pawar: “I have the right to contest any election. The voters should decide who’s better equipped to lead.”
- Sharad Pawar (via Supriya Sule): “We believe in cooperative democracy. The allegations against Ajit’s camp should be investigated.”
7. What Happens Next?
- Watch the Results: June 24 will reveal if Ajit’s return to cooperative politics yields control or if Sharad’s grassroots pull prevails.
- Expect Legal Action: If allegations are substantiated, the cooperative body may see an SIT investigation.
- Ripple Effects: The outcome could alter 2029 assembly strategies and MVA/NDA dynamics.
8. Timeline: Baramati Sugar Cooperative Elections – Key Dates
| Date | Event |
| May 2025 | Announcement of Election Schedule |
| June 5 | Finalization of candidate list |
| June 10–21 | Campaigning across villages and cooperative members |
| June 18 | Voter list controversy emerges |
| June 20 | Supriya Sule demands SIT probe |
| June 22 | Voting Day (Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill) |
| June 23 | Ballot box security and transport to counting centers |
| June 24 | Result Declaration |
| June 25+ | Potential legal review if allegations are filed |
10. Conclusion
This isn’t just a cooperative society poll—it’s a political referendum on leadership in one of Maharashtra’s most watched constituencies. Whether Ajit Pawar’s modernized, assertive politics or Sharad Pawar’s seasoned, legacy-driven approach wins, the results will be pivotal.
Stay tuned to PuneriPages.in for real-time updates, result breakdowns, and post-poll analysis.
9. FAQs:
Baramati Sugar Cooperative Elections – Pawar vs Pawar
1. What is the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill election?
It’s a local election to elect the 21-member board of directors that will govern the Malegaon Sugar Mill in Baramati, a politically significant cooperative in rural Maharashtra.
2. Why is this election so important?
This poll has gained attention as Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar — uncle and nephew — are backing rival panels, making it a symbolic contest for political dominance in Baramati.
3. When is the election being held?
Voting is scheduled for June 22, 2025, with counting and results to be announced on June 24, 2025.
4. Who are the key candidates or panels in the fray?
- Ajit Pawar’s Nilkantheshwar Panel
- Sharad Pawar-backed Baliraja Sahakar Bachao Panel
- Ranjan Taware’s Sahakar Bachav Shetkari Panel
5. How many candidates are contesting?
More than 90 candidates are contesting for 21 positions on the board.
6. What are the major controversies in this election?
The discovery of a voter list linked to Ajit Pawar’s Pune District Central Cooperative (PDCC) Bank has led to allegations of misconduct and calls for an SIT investigation.
7. Why are sugar cooperatives politically significant in Maharashtra?
They control significant rural economic and political influence through employment, procurement, and community welfare — often acting as grassroots power centers.
8. Has Ajit Pawar contested cooperative elections before?
This is Ajit Pawar’s return to cooperative elections after nearly 40 years.
9. What is Sharad Pawar’s political stake in this election?
He aims to retain control over Baramati’s rural institutions and reinforce his faction’s influence in Maharashtra politics post-NCP split.
10. How will this impact state-level politics?
The election result may shape upcoming local body polls and assembly strategies, especially between the Maha Vikas Aghadi and NDA alliances.
11. Are there allegations of favoritism or voter manipulation?
Yes, Sharad Pawar’s camp has alleged irregularities in the voter list and demanded transparency and investigation.
12. Where can I check election results live?
Local media outlets, PuneriPages.in, and regional news channels will provide result-day coverage on June 24.
13. Can general citizens vote in this election?
No, only registered members (primarily farmers) of the cooperative are eligible to vote.
14. What’s at stake for the winning panel?
Control over mill operations, access to agricultural funds, influence in rural networks, and a symbolic political victory.
15. Where can I find more information about each panel’s manifesto?
Pune-based local publications, campaign posters, and public speeches at village-level meetings provide insights into each panel’s promises.
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