Sunetra pawar set for unopposed win in Baramati bypoll after opposition withdrawal

Mumbai: In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Sunetra Pawar is set to be elected unopposed in the Baramati Assembly bypoll following the withdrawal of opposition candidates.

The by-election was necessitated after the demise of Ajit Pawar, a veteran leader who had represented the Baramati constituency multiple times. Sunetra Pawar, his wife and a key political figure, is now poised to carry forward his legacy.

According to sources, the Indian National Congress has decided to withdraw from the contest, with its candidate Akash More expected to take back his nomination. The move comes after internal discussions and outreach by leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

Earlier, the faction led by Sharad Pawar had already announced that it would not field a candidate in the bypoll as a mark of respect to Ajit Pawar. Similarly, the faction of Uddhav Thackeray also chose to stay away from the contest, paving the way for a consensus-driven outcome.

Sources indicate that senior NCP leader Dhananjay Munde reached out to Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal, urging reconsideration of the party’s decision to contest. Following this, the Congress leadership reportedly instructed its candidate to withdraw from the race.

Ajit Pawar, who passed away on January 28 in a tragic plane crash, was one of Maharashtra’s most influential leaders. He had represented Baramati eight times—winning elections in 1991, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2024—and had served as Deputy Chief Minister on six occasions.

With all major parties stepping aside, Sunetra Pawar’s unopposed election is now almost certain, marking a rare instance of political consensus in the state’s otherwise competitive electoral landscape. The development also underscores the enduring influence of the Pawar family in Baramati politics.