The Baramati assembly bypoll is headed for a one-sided conclusion after the Congress party officially withdrew its candidate, Akash More, on Thursday. The move paves the way for Sunetra Pawar, widow of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to secure an easy victory in the constituency.
The decision was announced by Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal on the final day for the withdrawal of nominations.
A Unified Appeal for Tradition
The withdrawal follows an intense, multi-party diplomatic effort to honor a long-standing Maharashtra political tradition: allowing an uncontested election when a seat falls vacant due to the death of a sitting leader.
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Political Outreach: Sunetra Pawar personally met with Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge and maintained contact with state leadership to request support.
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Cross-Party Support: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar both publicly advocated for an unopposed election. Sharad Pawar noted that the state had lost a “dutiful leader” in Ajit Pawar and that an uncontested poll would be a fitting tribute.
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The Final Push: A five-member NCP delegation, alongside NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, held high-level meetings with Congress leadership in Colaba to finalize the withdrawal.
Impact on the Race
Before the withdrawal, the contest was expected to be competitive. Congress had secured the backing of:
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Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP): Led by Mahadev Jankar, holding significant influence among the Dhangar community.
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Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA): Led by Prakash Ambedkar.
With Akash More exiting the race under party directives, the opposition front has effectively dissolved, leaving Sunetra Pawar as the primary successor to Ajit Pawar’s political legacy in Baramati.
Context of the Bypoll
The election, scheduled for April 23, 2026, was necessitated by the tragic death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28. By fielding Sunetra Pawar, the NCP sought to maintain its stronghold on the family’s bastion, a move that has now received the silent endorsement of its major political rivals.
