NEW DELHI: The ongoing rift between Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle Sharad Pawar has spilled over into the cooperative sector, with both camps entering the fray for the upcoming election to the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill in Baramati.Ajit Pawar, contesting a cooperative sugar mill election after more than four decades, is backed by the Nilkantheshwar panel, which currently holds power at the mill. In response, the NCP (SP) has launched its own Baliraja Sahakar Bachav panel, intensifying the rivalry. The election is scheduled for June 22, with results to be declared on June 24.A total of 90 candidates are in the fray for the 21-member board of directors, with panels, not political parties, fielding nominees. The Nilkantheshwar panel has fielded 21 candidates, while the Baliraja Sahakar Bachav panel has 20. Another group, the Sahakar Bachav panel, is also contesting, making it a triangular battle, news agency PTI reported.Sharad Pawar, who is not contesting, addressed party workers and members of the mill’s electoral college, comprising residents of half a dozen villages in Baramati taluka, and cautioned them against inducements during the campaign.“During the poll, some people might misuse power and offer allurements, but ensure not to sell your votes, come what may,” he urged.Before the 2023 split in the Nationalist Congress Party, only one panel, Nilkantheshwar, represented the Pawar family at the sugar mill. Now, the split has led to competing factions in the poll.Speaking to reporters, Sharad Pawar expressed regret over the split and said this fresh contest could have been avoided had the ruling panel included members of his faction.“Even today, we do not wish to take such a position. However, the party was compelled to take a stand due to circumstances that arose. Had an approach of taking everyone along been taken, this situation (floating rival panel) could have been avoided. But let bygones be bygones,” Sharad Pawar said.Sharad Pawar also played down the long-term impact of the contest, saying the disagreement is limited to this election.“It is limited to this particular election, which involves only 19,000 voters, members of the mill who are eligible to vote,” he said.“In the poll, some panels are contesting. In democracy, everyone has that right. I have no complaints about it. My only appeal is that after the poll, emphasis should be given to solving issues faced by people here,” he added.
