My background in social work is my strength: Sunetra Pawar

Baramati (Maharashtra) Apr 9 She was born in a family of politicians. And then got married into a family with a higher profile in Maharashtra politics. However, Sunetra Pawar has stayed away from the political arclight so long, confining herself majorly to social service.

So far, her political activity was limited to handling the campaign of Ajit Pawar from behind the wings But not this time. The 60-year-old has been nominated as the Lok Sabha candidate for Baramati by the Nationalist Congress Party, headed by her husband Ajit Pawar, and has the backing of the state’s ruling Mahayuti (grand alliance). And she is up against her sister-in-law, Supriya Sule, the sitting MP and daughter of the grand old man of Maharashtra politics, Sharad Pawar.

Baramati has been the pocket borough of the Pawar family for long, with Sharad Pawar himself retaining the constituency in the past for three decades. But this is the first time that the constituency is seeing a battle between two members of the Pawar family.

“Considering the changing mindset of voters and changing expectations from politicians, a strong background in social work is our strength,” claimed Sunetra Pawar.

The scope of her social work is wide, ranging - from the local to the international level. “At present, the mentality of voters is changing. Not only the new voters, but even the older generation voters, are no longer willing to vote on emotional issues alone,” she said.

“They want development. Therefore, I want work that will help society progress,” said Sunetra.

The founder of Environmental Forum of India, an organisation working on environment, feels one shouldn’t stop with slogans such as 'plant trees, live trees'. “Environmental protection is everyone's moral responsibility, she said.

By taking the motto that environment protection means protection of the human race, EFI is effectively promoting awareness. work about it. Similarly, EFI is also active in the fields of water conservation and health. Sunetra has also taken the initiative to introduce the concept of Eco Village in the country.

Vidya Pratishthan, an educational institution run by the Pawar family, has created a distinct identity for Baramati, she said.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is racing fast on the path of development, she said. “And the Grand Alliance is determined to accelerate this development process, by installing Modi for the third term as Prime Minister,” she said.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, busy actively campaigning for his wife, is confident that the voters from Baramati will send Sunetra Pawar to represent them in Delhi.

She too claimed that the employees, traders, urban and rural youth, women, and mainly farmers in the constituency are giving her a lot of support.

The sister of former minister Padmasinh Patil, despite her maiden electoral foray, is not being found wanting in public relations. On May 7, the electors will decide whether Sunetra Pawar will have the last laugh.