Battle 2014: NCP's Sharad Pawar faces toughest test in his stronghold

MUMBAI: If thinning crowds, deserting lieutenants and street protests by farmers are any indication, then this Lok Sabha election is going to be a tough test for Union minister Sharad Pawar and his Nationalist Congress Party in their bastion of western Maharashtra.

Last week, Aam Aadmi Party candidate and former IPS officer Suresh Khopade filed a complaint against Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar for allegedly threatening voters in Baramati. This constituency has been the Pawar family’s bastion since 1967 and Sharad Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule, is contesting from here. “Ajit Pawar asked voters to ensure that they vote only for NCP. He told them that he will cut their water supply if they don’t vote for Supriya,” Khopade alleged.

Although NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik refuted Khopade’s claim, saying the video presented by Khopade’s activists was doctored, police registered a complaint and are probing the matter.

In past elections, the Pawars have never found it tough to ensure victory.

However, this time round, Ajit has had to go around for campaigns, an indication that the family could be worried about failing political influence. NCP has seen defections too.

Several senior leaders, such as Sanjay Khodake from Amarawati in Vidarbha region and Deepak Kesarkar from Ratnagiri in Konkan region, left the party when campaigning was at its peak.

According to reports, crowds at Pawar’s rallies in rural Maharashtra have diminished to such an extent that a few rallies had to be shifted from open grounds to marriage halls.

“People in certain districts of the state voted for Pawar with blind faith, but they have realised that they have not got any returns in the last 20 years. Now the young generation is becoming restless,” said Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari.

“NCP’s arrogance and the perception that their ministers are involved in several scams in the state has damaged the party no end. The party is not expanding at all. In fact, since 1978, Sharad Pawar’s influence has grown in the Assembly only from 48 MLAs to 62,” said Nikhil Wagle, political analyst.

Analyst Kumar Ketkar said, “People have seen Pawar for the last 30-35 years and they can now see through his games. People are getting a feeling that they are not benefiting despite his being in power.”

Senior journalist and former parliamentarian Bharatkumar Raut said, “Pawar has never been able to grow his political influence either in the state or in Delhi.”