Malegaon Sugar Factory Polls: Ajit Pawar's Panel Sweeps With 20 Seats, Sharad Pawar Faction Draws Blank

The highly anticipated election results of the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Factory have been declared, with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s Neelkantheshwar Panel securing a sweeping victory by winning 20 out of 21 seats. The Sahakar Bachav Panel, backed by BJP leader Chandrarao Taware, managed to win just one seat, while Sharad Pawar’s Baliraja Panel faced a complete defeat with no seats.

The polling took place on June 22, and the counting process lasted nearly 35 hours. Ajit Pawar has successfully retained control over the influential Malegaon Sugar Factory, reinforcing his grip over the state’s cooperative sector.

Despite a tough fight from the opposition, the Neelkantheshwar Panel emerged dominant. The only winner from the rival camp was Chandrarao Taware, who secured victory from the Sangvi group, defeating Ajit Pawar’s candidate, Virendra Taware. His panel partner, Ranjan Taware, however, lost the election.

Reacting to the results, Ranjan Taware conceded defeat but criticized Ajit Pawar, alleging that this was a "victory of money power over people's strength." He also claimed that Ajit Pawar’s dream is “still incomplete.”

Ajit Pawar, who also handles the state’s finance portfolio, had promised financial aid of ₹500 crore to the sugar factory during the election campaign a move that may have influenced voters, according to observers.

On the other hand, Sharad Pawar’s Baliraja Sahakar Bachav Panel, led in alliance with Yugendra Pawar, failed to secure even a single seat, marking a significant political setback.

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The Malegaon sugar factory elections saw four main panels in the fray:

• Ajit Pawar’s Neelkantheshwar Panel

• Sharad Pawar’s Baliraja Panel

• BJP’s Sahakar Bachav Shetkari Panel led by Chandrarao and Ranjan Taware

• An Independent panel representing laborers and farmers

Reacting to the results, senior NCP leader Sharad Pawar criticized Ajit Pawar, saying, “People holding high positions in the government should not contest elections of cooperative institutions. In my 40-year-long career, I never contested such elections while in power.”