India, April 13 -- NCP chief and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar on Sunday said her performance should not be viewed through the prism of gender as she formally launched her campaign for the Baramati assembly bypoll.

Continuing a long-standing family tradition, Pawar began her campaign with prayers at the Hanuman temple in Kanheri village, a ritual her late husband Ajit Pawar followed at the start of every election.

She acknowledged that there were initial doubts about whether she would be able to take on the responsibility, particularly as a woman. "With Ajitdada's blessings and the support of Baramati's people, I gathered the strength to take up this challenge," she said after offering prayers at the temple.

Recalling...