The BJP leader in question is a senior minister Chandrakant Patil, who, in his inimitable style, had appealed to the NDA workers that it was time they together finished the politics of Sharad Pawar. Sensing the trouble the statement had invited from Pawar senior’s well-wishers, Ajit had asked Patil to avoid making caustic statements and focus on Pune’s BJP candidate instead of Baramati. The DCM was reported to have said at a meeting somewhere in Pune, that to invite leaders to speak at his wife’s rallies had become too risky because he didn’t know what they would speak to spark yet another controversy. For, Ajit knows it too well. He has himself experienced public wrath and adversity in the wake of his controversial remarks.

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A PTI report on Thursday from Pune quoted Ajit Pawar as saying, “He (Patil) should not have made those remarks. (After that statement), I told Chandrakant-dada to look into the BJP’s work in Pune, and that my party workers and I would look into the Baramati Lok Sabha seat. He should not have made that statement and I have no idea why he said that. But later, he never spoke a word.”

Rival parties spoke innumerable things against each other. Unlike the past, the Pawars were split this time, with the majority of family members on Supriya’s side. Ajit depended on his old friends, associates and frenemies from the BJP and Shiv Sena. Yet, he had to be there personally, walking miles and traversing the length and breadth of the constituency. Supriya too did the same. It was a novelty filled with a dilemma for the Baramati voters, whose eardrums were subjected to stories they hadn’t heard so far. The story-telling has shifted to neighbouring constituencies in Pune and other districts where polling is scheduled in the fourth phase. 

Dharmendra Jore is political editor, mid-day. He tweets @dharmendrajore
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