Ambegaon battle a decisive test of loyalty and legacy

Pune: For decades, if there was one man Sharad Pawar relied on for elections and to plan his campaigns, it was Dilip Walse Patil. He followed Pawar after he separated from Congress to form the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999 and was for long viewed as a Pawar loyalist. No wonder then that his defection to the Ajit Pawar faction following the split in NCP raised many eyebrows.The Nov 20 election will be a crucial test for Walse Patil, who has remained undefeated in Ambegaon constituency since 1990. The consecutive victories also brought him several ministerial berths in the state cabinet. He is now the Mahayuti govt's state minister of cooperation.Despite representing Ambegaon for seven consecutive terms, political analysts anticipate a formidable contest as Walse Patil endeavours to maintain his stronghold, while Sharad Pawar-backed Devdatta Nikam of the NCP (SCP) campaigns for a new representative in this agrarian-rich belt in Pune district. Ironically, Walse Patil is seen as a mentor of sorts to Nikam.Political consultant Seema Rao noted that the senior Pawar is known as Walse Patil's mentor. "His father Govindrao was a staunch supporter of Pawar. He also represented Ambegaon assembly. Dilip Walse Patil started his political journey as Pawar's assistant. Learning politics alongside him, Dilip entered Ambegaon constituency and established his dominance there. This foundation helped him secure several ministerial positions. However, there has since been a twist in state politics."To compound the challenge for Walse Patil, Pawar addressed a rally on Thursday and declared, "Those who betrayed us must be punished. Defeat these traitors and make Devdatta Nikam a legislator."In the high-spirited attack, the NCP (SCP) chief said Walse Patil has been telling people that their relationship is still strong but it is not true. Pawar said that his wife Pratibha had broken a long tradition of visiting Walse Patil's house during her recent Bhimashankar temple trip. He said, "nothing was left to discuss", and only "betrayal" remained.For residents in the largely agricultural constituency, though, only water woes remain. Dimbhe dam in Ambegaon taluka is touted as one of the main reasons for Walse Patil's separation from Pawar Senior. The water from this dam is planned to be diverted to Karjat Jamkhed through a tunnel, which is supported by Walse Patil. Villagers, however, say those closest to the dam must get first rights to the irrigation water.Former sarpanch of Dimbhe, Parshuram Nikam, said, "Water for irrigation is a major challenge here. Even villages close to Dimbhe face problems. There is a lack of political will to supply water to villages near the dam. Everyone here is frustrated."Many farmers in the constituency support NCP (SCP) candidate Devdatta Nikam, who began his political journey as the sarpanch of Nagapur village. During this time, Walse Patil appointed him as the chairman of the Bhimashankar factory and made him the chairman of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee in Manchar.Nikam also contested the Shirur Lok Sabha seat in 2014 but was defeated by Shiv Sena's Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil.Nikam said, "Problems here are many, and people are looking for change because things are not improving here. Water, development work, and infrastructure works are at a standstill. Many villagers are reeling under water scarcity, but their voices are not heard."Rao said, "Sharad Pawar is Dilip Walse Patil's mentor, while Nikam is Walse Patil's disciple. The outcome of this mentor-disciple clash is eagerly awaited by Ambegaon and the entire state. It currently appears to be a battle between Sharad Pawar and Walse Patil. Hence, at a rally in Manchar, Pawar directly appealed to the public for Walse Patil's defeat."After Pawar's statement against him, Walse Patil broke his silence and stated that the decision to join BJP was made collectively by legislators, so there was no question of betrayal. "It is not as significant as portrayed. I never betrayed anyone, so why discuss it?"A villager from the constituency, Sadanand Patil, summed up the problems: "There are some villages that are facing severe drinking water scarcity. Tankers are doing the rounds frequently. Water is our priority; our work largely depends on the availability of water, and our demand has always been abundant water."In the 2019 assembly elections, Walse Patil won with 1,26,120 votes, while his main opponent Shiv Sena's Rajaram Bhivsen Bankhele secured only 59,212 votes.
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