Pune: The split in NCP, families related to it and also party workers led to heavy polling in 38 constituencies where its two factions were in straight fights in the 2024 Maharashtra assembly election. Most of these seats logged over 70% voter turnout, higher than the state's average of 66%. The direct faceoff between Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SCP) was seen mostly in western Maharashtra — the state's sugar belt.
When voting for the state assembly ended on Wednesday, Kagal constituency logged 82.5% polling, highest among the 38 seats where NCP and NCP (SCP) were in direct fight. Kagal witnessed a contest between NCP minister Hasan Mushrif and NCP (SCP)'s Samarjeetsinh Ghatge.
Baramati assembly constituency, where deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar is challenged by nephew Yugendra, the NCP (SCP)'s, nominee, also registered a rise in turnout — from 68.8% in 2019 assembly elections to 71.6% this time.
Political observers are of the view that both factions of NCP tried to keep their parties relevant and stretched themselves to reach out to maximum voters. Prakash Pawar, a political analyst, told TOI, "After the split in NCP, senior functionaries of both factions of the party visited every nook and cranny of Baramati to protect their bastion. Till the last assembly election, not many saw the Pawar families getting into hectic campaign mode in Baramati.
But this time, both Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar visited even the remotest villages in Baramati to establish a .