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Time of India

Ajit Pawar returns to sugar co-op poll after 40 yrs

1 2 3 Pune: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has returned to the politically charged world of sugar cooperatives election after almost 40 years, filing his own nomination for the Malegaon mills. He will be one among the 90 candidates in the fray for 21 seats to the Malegaon sugar mill board, which has been under the control of the deputy CM himself for the last few decades. The Malegaon sugar mill is located in the stronghold of Pawars in Baramati and the win in the election is considered prestigious and essential for the family to continue its dominance in the sugar cooperative sector, while also sending a strong message to opponents. Meanwhile, this is for the first time that election to the particular sugar mill is being held after the split in the Pawar family and the NCP. The deadline for withdrawal of the nominations ended at 3pm on Thursday, after which 90 candidates, including Ajit Pawar, remained in the fray. Speaking to TOI, election officer Yashwant Mane said, "Members of the Malegaon sugar mill belong to 37 villages of Baramati and there are around 20,000 voters. Voting will be held on June 22 to elect a body of 21 board members." The counting of votes is on June 24 and the results will be declared later in the day, according to election officials. Ajit Pawar contested his first election in the cooperative sector in 1984 for the Chhatrapati sugar mill, before he was introduced to mainstream politics by uncle Sharad Pawar. However, after contesting the Lok Sabha election in 1991 from the Baramati seat and kicking off his political career, Pawar never went back to contest sugar mill elections. He has handled various important portfolios in various govts and held the position of deputy CM for a record six times. He is influential in the sugar cooperative sector and ensures his panel remains on the board of directors every time. However, this time, after a long gap of over 40 years, Pawar has decided to contest the sugar cooperative poll himself. According to his close associates, he made the deliberate choice to maintain his dominance in the sugar mill circuit. "Over the last five years, opposition was accusing the Pawar-backed elected body of mismanagement and corruption. That apart, there is an NCP (SP) faction which will also be contesting the election — making it tougher for Pawar's panel to win. The deputy CM has entered the fray to boost the morale of his candidates, while attracting votes in his name," a close associate of Pawar told TOI. Pawar's Neelkantheshwar panel will take on two panels, including the NCP (SP)-backed Baliraja Sahakar Bachao panel and the Sahakar Bachao panel headed by Chandrarao Taware and Ranjan Taware — considered Pawar political rivals. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .