Sharad Pawar extends a warm invitation to the Maharashtra Chief Minister and deputies for a delightful gathering at his residence in Baramati.

With the June-July 2023 split in the 25-year-old party, Baramati has become a sort of battleground of the two factions - the NCP now led by Ajit Pawar, who has claimed the party and the traditional clock symbol and another led by Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule, which is now known as NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) with the ‘man blowing turha’ (or tutari) symbol.

In a surprising turn of events in Maharashtra's political landscape, Sharad Pawar has extended an invitation to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar for a gathering at his residence in Baramati. This unexpected move precedes the announcement of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and has raised eyebrows on both sides of the political spectrum - the ruling Maha Yuti (NDA) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (I.N.D.I.A).

The 83-year-old Pawar's gesture comes amidst the backdrop of a rift within the 25-year-old party, with Baramati emerging as a focal point for the two factions - one led by Ajit Pawar claiming the party and its traditional symbol, and the other led by Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule.

Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar's 64-year-old nephew, plans to field his wife Sunetra Pawar against his 54-year-old cousin Supriya Sule, who has held the seat for three terms.

The trio of Shinde, Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar are scheduled to visit Baramati for the NaMo Rojgar Fair, organized to provide employment opportunities to thousands ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Notably, the event is being held at the Vidya Pratisthan, an institution founded by Sharad Pawar himself.

It remains uncertain whether the invite extended by Sharad Pawar, or "Saheb" as he is affectionately known, will be accepted. Nevertheless, the invitation for a meal and gathering at Pawar's Govind Bagh residence has been formally addressed to them.

While Sharad Pawar's name is absent from the guest list for the Maharozgar Mela event in Baramati on March 2, Supriya Sule and other family members have been invited. This omission has drawn criticism, with Karjat Jamkhed MLA Rohit Pawar expressing disappointment over the government's failure to extend an invitation to his grand-uncle.

Supriya Sule emphasized the Pawar family's tradition of hospitality, highlighting the principle of 'Atithi Devo Bhava,' wherein visiting dignitaries, including Chief Ministers, are warmly welcomed at their residence in Baramati.