New Delhi, April 6 (NationPress) The president of the Nationalist Congress Party-SP, Sharad Pawar, stated on Monday that the Pawar family opted out of the Baramati by-election due to their sorrow over the unexpected passing of Ajit Pawar. Despite this, he did not criticize the Congress for its decision to participate in the bypoll.

While speaking to the media in Delhi, after taking his oath as a Rajya Sabha member, Pawar emphasized that the Congress party is entitled to nominate a candidate in Baramati.

When questioned about his grandnephew, Parth Pawar, who suggested that the Congress's decision to run in the bypoll marks the beginning of its decline, Sharad Pawar expressed doubts about Parth's political maturity to make such assessments.

Sharad Pawar affirmed that the decision to field a candidate in Baramati rests solely with the Congress party, which likely made its choice based on current circumstances. He highlighted that although they are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, these types of issues can emerge in specific constituencies and aren't necessarily of national importance.

In response to criticisms from Parth Pawar, Sharad Pawar remarked that political commentary requires a certain level of maturity. “I cannot determine whether he (Parth Pawar) has attained that degree of political maturity,” remarked the seasoned leader.

Following the vacancy left by Ajit Pawar’s death, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar submitted her nomination for the Baramati by-election on Monday. While the NCP-SP did not present a candidate, the Congress, part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi, has entered the contest.

Sharad Pawar stated, “To participate in any election, one must acknowledge there will be opponents. We opted not to present a candidate. Many individuals contest various elections, but as a family, we are mourning the premature loss of Ajit Pawar. As the family head, I bear this responsibility. Hence, we decided against contesting this election.”

Regarding the Rahuri Assembly bypoll, Sharad Pawar mentioned he was unaware of the reasons behind former minister and NCP-SP leader Prajakt Tanpure’s withdrawal. He indicated that the party had instructed local leaders to decide if Tanpure was not running, which resulted in the nomination of Govind Mokate.

On the subject of merger discussions, Sharad Pawar clarified that talks regarding the merger of both NCP factions had previously occurred between NCP-SP leader Jayant Patil and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. At that time, Ajit Pawar held a different viewpoint. “Now that he is no longer with us, discussions about a merger within our party have ceased,” he remarked.