A notable political moment unfolded today as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and senior leader Harshvardhan Patil came face-to-face during the ongoing voting for the Chhatrapati Cooperative Sugar Factory elections in Baramati. The elections are being conducted for the management of the influential cooperative sugar factory, with Class B members eligible to cast their votes this time. The contest is being closely watched due to the political significance of the factory in the Baramati region, a known power center in Maharashtra politics.
Ajit Pawar and Harshvardhan Patil were both present at the polling station, where they briefly greeted each other. However, sources on the ground reported that the encounter was tense, and a verbal clash is said to have taken place between the two leaders. While neither side officially commented on the nature of the exchange, political observers noted the intensifying rivalry between the two, especially as both leaders are believed to be backing opposing panels in the sugar factory elections.
The meeting has sparked fresh speculation about the growing political divide in Baramati, a region long dominated by the Pawar family's influence. The results of the cooperative elections are expected to have significant political implications for the local leadership landscape.