Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal on Wednesday announced that the party will withdraw its candidate from the Baramati Assembly by-election, following appeals from the Chief Minister and other senior political leaders to ensure an unopposed election scheduled for April 23.
Addressing a press briefing, Sapkal said the Congress had initially decided to contest the seat as part of its broader political message against the BJP. “As a message to the people regarding our opposition to the BJP, we had decided to contest Baramati. Not only in Baramati, but also in Rahuri, we had made it clear that we would fight against the BJP. We had already begun an extensive door-to-door campaign,” he said.
The Congress had fielded Akash More against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sunetra Pawar. However, the party has now chosen to step back as a mark of respect for Ajit Pawar, the veteran NCP leader and former deputy chief minister, who died in a tragic chartered plane crash in Baramati on January 28.
Ajit Pawar, an eight-time MLA from Baramati and one of Maharashtra’s most influential political figures, had long considered the constituency his political stronghold. Following his untimely demise, his wife Sunetra Pawar entered the fray for the by-election, seeking to retain the family’s hold over the seat.
The Congress decision came after NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged the party to withdraw its nominee in the interest of unity and as a tribute to Ajit Pawar’s legacy. Reports indicate that Fadnavis personally spoke to Sapkal, requesting that the Congress refrain from contesting the bypoll and allow Sunetra Pawar to secure an uncontested victory.
In a post on X, Supriya Sule said, “Following the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar, the Baramati Assembly constituency now faces a by-election. Ajit Dada’s political journey began with the Congress party, and he maintained a long-standing, respectful association with it throughout his career.”
The Congress withdrawal is being seen as a significant political gesture, underscoring the respect Ajit Pawar commanded across party lines and the continued importance of Baramati in Maharashtra’s political landscape.
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