The crucial Baramati Lok Sabha seat, which both the rival NCP factions led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar have claimed, may witness a three-way contest after Vijay Shivtare, a former Maharashtra Minister and senior leader of the ruling Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, announced his intention to contest the seat, which is a bastion of the Pawar clan.

This move by Shivtare comes in the midst of increased tensions among the three Mahayuti partners – the BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP – over seat-sharing.

Vijay Shivtare, a former two-term MLA from Purandar, has openly expressed his intention to take revenge on the Pawar clan, particularly Ajit Pawar, who is currently an ally of Shiv Sena in the government.

Vijay Shivtare’s decision to contest separately is posing a threat to the ruling Mahayuti alliance, as it may lead to the fragmentation of votes.

He has criticized Ajit Pawar for grabbing land from farmers, not returning their share capital, and purchasing factories at throwaway prices.

Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar faction’s leader Amol Mitkari has urged Vijay Shivtare to restrain himself and forget past rivalries.

Deepak Kesarkar, a Shiv Sena Minister, has tried to calm the situation by stating that once the candidature is finalised by the Mahayuti, all three parties will unite to win the Baramati seat.

In addition to Vijay Shivtare’s challenge, there are also speculations that the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction may face another setback as Nilesh Lanke, the MLA from Ahmednagar, is likely to defect to the Sharad Pawar camp.

While Sharad Pawar has denied any knowledge of such a move, Nilesh Lanke’s meeting with Sharad Pawar loyalist Amol Kolhe has created a buzz.

The Baramati Lok Sabha seat, which has been a stronghold of the Pawar family for 50 years, is now up for grabs with the emergence of these two new challengers.