Baramati: In a significant political development, the Indian National Congress on Thursday announced that it will withdraw its candidate from the Baramati Assembly bypoll, paving the way for Sunetra Pawar to secure an unopposed victory.
The decision came just hours before the nomination withdrawal deadline, effectively ending uncertainty over the party’s stance in the high-profile by-election.
Congress withdraws candidate
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal confirmed that the party has decided to pull out its candidate, Akash More, despite initially launching a campaign.
He stated that the move followed internal discussions as well as sustained outreach from leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
“We believed our earlier decision was right, but considering Maharashtra’s political traditions and the communication made by leaders, we have decided to withdraw our candidate,” Sapkal said.
He added that several NCP leaders, including Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, personally requested the Congress to reconsider its decision. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also reached out and expressed regret over earlier remarks directed at the Congress.
Pressure campaign leads to decision
The Congress’ withdrawal follows a sustained appeal from across the political spectrum to allow an uncontested election in Baramati after the death of senior leader Ajit Pawar.
The bypoll, scheduled for April 23, was necessitated after Ajit Pawar’s demise in a plane crash on January 28. Political leaders had urged that an unopposed election would serve as a tribute to his legacy.
A large number of candidates had initially filed nominations, but by Thursday afternoon, several had withdrawn, narrowing the contest significantly.
Appeals for consensus
NCP leader Supriya Sule had earlier appealed directly to the Congress leadership, urging the party to allow an uncontested election.
In her message, she highlighted Ajit Pawar’s long association with the Congress and described the proposal as a “dignified and heartfelt tribute” to his public service.
Senior leaders across parties echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the importance of maintaining political decorum and respecting longstanding traditions in Maharashtra politics.
Political reactions and developments
Earlier in the day, Congress legislative party leader Vijay Wadettiwar had hinted at a possible rethink, indicating flexibility amid mounting pressure.
A delegation led by NCP minister Makarand Patil also met Sapkal to press for the withdrawal. The group included MLAs Sanjay Khodke, Rajesh Vitekar, Manoj Kayande and Sana Malik.
Meanwhile, state minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule warned of political consequences if the Congress did not step back, stating that the party could face setbacks beginning from Baramati.
The situation had earlier escalated with remarks from Parth Pawar criticising the Congress for fielding a candidate, prompting a sharp response from the party.
Despite the political exchanges, both Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule acknowledged that the Congress, as an independent party, had the right to contest the election.
Conclusion
With the Congress officially withdrawing its candidate, Sunetra Pawar is now set to win the Baramati bypoll unopposed. The development reflects a rare moment of political consensus, driven by appeals for respect and tribute following Ajit Pawar’s demise. The outcome is likely to reinforce Baramati’s significance in Maharashtra’s political landscape.