India, June 13 -- For the first time since 1984, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has entered the race for a cooperative sugar mill election. Pawar is among the 90 contestants in the Malegaon Cooperative Sugar Mill polls in Baramati, set to take place on June 22, with the counting scheduled on the next day.

Pawar's last electoral involvement in the cooperative sugar sector was over four decades ago when he was elected to the board of the Chhatrapati Cooperative Sugar Mill. His renewed participation marks a significant political moment for the region, where sugar cooperatives continue to play a crucial role in local politics and economics.

The election is for the 21-member board of directors at the Malegaon mill, which is cur...