Pune: Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar on Sunday said she comes from a family that introduced Maharashtra’s first policy for women and her work should not be judged on the basis of gender.“Many had doubts about my ability to fulfil responsibilities since I am a woman. However, the blessings of Ajitdada, reflected through the people of Baramati, have given me the strength to stand firm and continue fighting. I am the daughter-in-law of the family that gave the state its first policy for women,” she said at a rally after launching her Baramati bypoll campaign, referring to the Maharashtra govt introducing 33% reservation for women in local self-govt bodies during Sharad Pawar’s tenure as the CM. Sunetra launched her campaign in line with the family tradition started by Sharad Pawar in 1967 by offering prayers at a Hanuman temple in Kanheri village, about 6km from Baramati town. She had begun her campaign from Kanheri for the 2024 LS elections, too. She also paid tributes to her late husband at the Ajit Pawar memorial in Baramati. Sunetra’s son, Jay, campaigned with her, but no other politically active member of the Pawar family, including Sharad Pawar, Supriya, Rohit or Yugendra, participated, even though NCP (SP) has declared its support to her. NCP functionaries Dattatray Bharne, Sana Malik, Aditi Tatkare and several MLAs accompanied her. Sunetra said she would address people’s concerns—from ensuring adequate water for farmers and law and order issues to uninterrupted power supply—in the constituency. She said she would carry forward her husband’s legacy and ensure that all of his promises on development works are fulfilled. She said none of the party workers and their contributions would be neglected. “I will personally take note of it. Every party worker will be taken into confidence before any major decision is taken in the future,” she said.
