Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday claimed that the decision to break away from the NCP and join the Mahayuti government was taken with the permission of NCP founder and his uncle, Sharad Pawar.

Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar admitted he feels "guilty" for joining Ajit Pawar's camp but claimed his decision was driven by a desire to protect his workers.

This is quite the U-turn, as Pawar has been saying over the last few days that he will not contest elections from Baramati and will field another candidate instead

Mumbai: Ajit Pawar will contest from Baramati in the upcoming assembly polls. The announcement was made by NCP national working president Praful Patel on Tuesday. The NCP leader and MP said, “I officially declare that our party chief will be the official candidate from Baramati.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP credits the BJP's victory in Haryana and good performance in Jammu & Kashmir to the success of the Narendra Modi government. NCP announces Ajit Pawar's candidacy from Baramati and confirms seat-sharing agreements for the upcoming elections,

Patel's confirmation came amid speculation the Deputy CM might scout a safer constituency such as Shirur after his cousin Supriya Sule defeated his wife Sunetra Pawar in the Lok Sabha elections.