Things went wrong in the family when Ajit Pawar pitted wife Sunetra against Supriya Sule: Shrinivas Pawar

Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's younger brother, Shrinivas Pawar, on Friday said things went wrong in the Pawar family when the former fielded his wife, Sunetra, against Supriya Sule.

"I am totally out of politics, and I am happy looking after my business. When he (Ajit Pawar) decided to field his wife (Sunetra) against my cousin (Supriya), I decided to go with my uncle (Sharad Pawar). It was his (Ajit Pawar's) mistake. We have seen Supriya growing in front of our eyes and never thought my brother would take that call," Shrinivas told TOI in an exclusive interview.

Yugendra Pawar, son of Shrinivas, is now the official candidate of NCP (SCP) in Baramati against his uncle, Ajit Pawar.


After Ajit Pawar announced Sunetra as the candidate for Baramati following the NCP split, Shrinivas' family not only backed senior Pawar's party but also actively campaigned for Supriya in Baramati. The town is once again facing a Pawar versus Pawar showdown, with Ajit Pawar competing against his nephew to retain his seat.

When asked how he looks at the contest between his brother and son, Shrinivas said, "Emotions were high during the Lok Sabha polls because there was a fight within the family for the first time. Now, all emotions have dried up. Once Ajit Dada went to the other side and my family sided with Pawar Saheb, we knew that this day would also come."

During the Lok Sabha polls campaign, Ajit Pawar in one of his speeches said he was isolated in the Pawar family. But according to his younger brother, Shrinivas, Ajit took a call to go against the family.

"I was against Ajit Pawar's decision to go against Pawar Saheb. I tried my best to convince him, only to realise that he had already made up his mind to go against the family without even consulting anyone," Shrinivas said.

(With TOI inputs)