Lok Sabha elections 2019: ‘It’s a tough seat, but I will sail through easily’

Parth Pawar, the third-generation scion of the Pawar family, will contest the Lok Sabha elections on a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) ticket from Maval in Pune, which goes to polls on April 29. Gearing up for the polls, Parth Pawar – son of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and grand-nephew of party chief Sharad Pawar – spoke to HT about his political debut and controversy surrounding his candidature.

Why did you pick Maval and not any other constituency?

Maval constituency hasn’t been won by the NCP yet. The local party cadre was keen that I contest, as all like-minded parties, including NCP, could come together to contest this election as a one single unit.

Isn’t it a tough seat to win?

No election is easy. It is a tough seat – as I mentioned, NCP hasn’t won here yet. But with the anti-incumbency against the current MP [Shrirang Barne]; the Modi government’s failure to bring employment, business or tackle agrarian crisis; and efforts put in by NCP activists and workers, I believe I shall sail through easily.

There was a controversy over your election ticket. How would you respond to that?

There was no controversy. Hon Saheb [NCP chief Sharad Pawar] made a decision that he won’t contest and everyone in the party respected it and is working ahead in the direction shown by him.