In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Sunetra Pawar, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister, is poised to secure an unopposed victory in the Baramati by-election after the Congress party formally withdrew from the contest ahead of the nomination deadline.
The announcement was made by Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal at a press conference in Mumbai. Sapkal stated that the party had decided to withdraw its candidate, Akash More, citing sympathy following the sudden demise of Ajit Pawar, which led to the by-election.
Despite stepping back from the Baramati contest, Sapkal asserted that the Congress party’s broader political fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would continue unabated. He also took the opportunity to criticise Ajit Pawar’s faction for aligning with the BJP, highlighting ongoing tensions within Maharashtra’s political landscape.
The decision follows a series of high-level engagements and appeals. Sunetra Pawar reportedly met Mallikarjun Kharge and held discussions with Ramesh Chennithala, the party’s in-charge for Maharashtra, along with other senior Congress leaders. Meanwhile, prominent leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), including Dhananjay Munde, personally urged Sapkal to reconsider the party’s stance.
Further pressure came from influential NCP figures Rohit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, who appealed to the Congress leadership to step aside in the interest of political consensus and respect for the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death.
Earlier, the Congress had maintained that it would only withdraw its candidate if an FIR was registered in connection with Ajit Pawar’s fatal plane crash. However, the party ultimately chose to exit the race, framing the move as a gesture of goodwill and sensitivity.
In parallel, Sunetra Pawar has begun consolidating political support ahead of the April 23 polling date. She recently met Devendra Fadnavis to discuss campaign strategy and coordination. According to sources, Fadnavis assured her of the BJP’s full backing, describing the party’s role as that of a supportive “elder brother.”
With no major challenger remaining in the fray, the Baramati by-election now appears set to deliver a straightforward victory for Sunetra Pawar, marking a crucial moment in Maharashtra politics and further reshaping alliances in the state.
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