Published 29 days ago • loading... • Updated 28 days ago
Political Maneuvering in Baramati Bypoll: A Call for Unopposed Election
Sunetra Pawar asked the Congress to withdraw its nominee as 53 candidates filed papers, with leaders seeking an unopposed win as a tribute to Ajit Pawar.
On Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar contacted Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, requesting he withdraw his party's candidate to ensure an unopposed victory in the Baramati Assembly bypoll.
The Baramati Assembly bypoll was necessitated by the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, with 53 candidates, including Congress's Akash More, filing nominations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured Sunetra Pawar of full BJP support, describing his party's role as an "elder brother," while senior NCP leader Praful Patel cited "sympathy and sentiments" for an unopposed win.
Demanding an FIR regarding Ajit Pawar's death as a condition for withdrawing Akash More, Congress has engaged in heated exchanges with Parth Pawar, who predicted the party's "downfall."
Thursday marks the final deadline for nomination withdrawals, with sources indicating the Congress high command in Delhi will decide whether to clear the path for Sunetra Pawar by morning.
Congress's withdrawal from the Baramati by-election is being considered a strategic move. Harsh Vardhan Sapkal attributed it to respect for Ajit Pawar's demise, while appeals from NCP leaders including Sunetra Pawar were also significant. With this decision, Congress projected itself as a champion of "political decorum" and secured an apology from the opposition, which benefited it politically.