Sunetra Pawar Set to Win Baramati Bypolls Unopposed as Congress Withdraws Candidate
Congress Decision to Withdraw
Mumbai: Sunetra Pawar, the widow of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is poised to win the Baramati bypoll unopposed following the Congress party’s decision to withdraw its candidate. The bypoll was initially scheduled for April 23, but the Congress party announced its withdrawal two weeks prior, in an act of respect for Ajit Pawar, who tragically died in a plane crash on January 28 while attempting to land at Baramati airstrip.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, serving as the party’s state in-charge, confirmed the news, stating, “The bypoll became necessary due to the tragic death of Ajit Pawar. As a mark of respect for him, Congress will not contest.” Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had contacted Harshwardhan Sapkal, the state unit chief of Congress, requesting that the party’s candidate step aside.
Background of Ajit Pawar
The Congress had put forth Akash More, a legal advocate, as their candidate, a move that prompted criticism from Parth Pawar, the son of Ajit and Sunetra Pawar. He expressed discontent over the Congress fielding a candidate, predicting negative repercussions for the party. “The Congress should not contest this bypoll,” he indicated.
Additionally, various leaders from the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, including Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar, also urged Congress to withdraw its candidate. Sharad Pawar, founder of the NCP and former ally of Congress, emphasized that while he could not formally direct the party, he could strongly encourage them to consider withdrawal. “Baramati seat fell vacant due to a tragic accident that snatched away an efficient leader… if asked, I would advise Congress it will be appropriate to make this bypoll unopposed,” he stated.
Sunetra Pawar’s Position
Reports indicate that Sunetra Pawar personally reached out to Sakpal, stressing the history of collaboration between her late husband and the Congress party. Following Ajit Pawar’s death, she was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with her appointment receiving formal approval shortly after the tragedy.
Other senior politicians, including NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, conveyed similar messages to Congress, reminding them of Ajit Pawar’s past affiliations with the party during elections in 1991 and 1995.
Congress’s Concerns and the Political Landscape
While Sunetra Pawar is expected to assume her position without opposition, a caveat remains: the Congress party has called for a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death. The nomination of a Congress candidate had raised questions about potential discord within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a political alliance that includes the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of the Shiv Sena, commonly referred to as Sena UBT.
Notably, the Sena UBT had earlier indicated they were unlikely to present a candidate in the bypoll. Today marked the final opportunity for candidates to withdraw their nominations.
The Baramati seat has been a significant political stronghold for the Pawar family. Ajit Pawar maintained control of the seat since the 1991 bypoll, initially winning as a candidate for the Congress, while the seat had been held by his uncle, Sharad Pawar, for 24 years before that. Sunetra Pawar submitted her nomination papers on Monday, pending formalities to finalize her unopposed victory.
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Congress Decision to WithdrawMumbai: Sunetra Pawar, the widow of former Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is poised to win the Baramati bypoll unopposed following the Congress party’s decision to withdraw its candidate. The bypoll was initially scheduled for April 23, but the Congress party announced its withdrawal two weeks prior, in an act of respect for Ajit Pawar, who tragically died in a plane crash on January 28 while attempting to land at Baramati airstrip.Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, serving as the party’s state in-charge, confirmed the news, stating, “The bypoll became necessary due to the tragic death of Ajit Pawar. As a mark of respect for him, Congress will not contest.” Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had contacted Harshwardhan Sapkal, the state unit chief of Congress, requesting that the party’s candidate step aside.Background of Ajit PawarThe Congress had put forth Akash More, a legal advocate, as their candidate, a move that prompted criticism from Parth Pawar, the son of Ajit and Sunetra Pawar. He expressed discontent over the Congress fielding a candidate, predicting negative repercussions for the party. “The Congress should not contest this bypoll,” he indicated.Additionally, various leaders from the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, including Supriya Sule and Rohit Pawar, also urged Congress to withdraw its candidate. Sharad Pawar, founder of the NCP and former ally of Congress, emphasized that while he could not formally direct the party, he could strongly encourage them to consider withdrawal. “Baramati seat fell vacant due to a tragic accident that snatched away an efficient leader… if asked, I would advise Congress it will be appropriate to make this bypoll unopposed,” he stated.Sunetra Pawar’s PositionReports indicate that Sunetra Pawar personally reached out to Sakpal, stressing the history of collaboration between her late husband and the Congress party. Following Ajit Pawar’s death, she was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, with her appointment receiving formal approval shortly after the tragedy.Other senior politicians, including NCP’s Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde, conveyed similar messages to Congress, reminding them of Ajit Pawar’s past affiliations with the party during elections in 1991 and 1995.Congress’s Concerns and the Political LandscapeWhile Sunetra Pawar is expected to assume her position without opposition, a caveat remains: the Congress party has called for a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death. The nomination of a Congress candidate had raised questions about potential discord within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a political alliance that includes the Sharad Pawar-led NCP and Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of the Shiv Sena, commonly referred to as Sena UBT.Notably, the Sena UBT had earlier indicated they were unlikely to present a candidate in the bypoll. Today marked the final opportunity for candidates to withdraw their nominations.The Baramati seat has been a significant political stronghold for the Pawar family. Ajit Pawar maintained control of the seat since the 1991 bypoll, initially winning as a candidate for the Congress, while the seat had been held by his uncle, Sharad Pawar, for 24 years before that. Sunetra Pawar submitted her nomination papers on Monday, pending formalities to finalize her unopposed victory.
