MUMBAI: After extensive deliberations, the Maharashtra Congress on Thursday announced that it would not contest the Baramati assembly bypolls against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, as a tribute to her late husband, Ajit Pawar.
Thirty candidates have withdrawn their nominations, leaving 23 still in the fray. Voting for the by-elections will be held on April 23, 2026, with counting scheduled for May 5, 2026. In the Rahuri Assembly bypoll in Maharashtra, seven candidates are contesting.
Initially, the Congress had nominated Akash More as its candidate for the Baramati bypoll. However, he withdrew his nomination on the last day of withdrawal following instructions from the party leadership.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal said that Sunetra Pawar personally called him twice and also spoke with Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala, requesting that the party not field a candidate against her. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash.
“We were firm in our decision to contest the Baramati bypoll as an ideological contest against the BJP. However, we received several requests from the NCP and NCP SP. In the spirit of political decorum and to honor Ajit Pawar, we decided to withdraw our candidate,” Sapkal said.
He added, “Ajit Pawar began his political career with the Congress and spent a long time in alliance with the party. Respecting public sentiment and as a tribute to his contributions, we chose not to contest. While we are supporting the NCP in this instance, our ideological fight against the BJP will continue.”
Sapkal emphasized that the decision was taken after consulting senior leaders, including candidate Akash More. He also noted that the Congress hopes the NCP will reconsider its alliance with the BJP, which he described as a communal party.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reportedly called Sapkal to request the withdrawal of the Congress candidate to facilitate an unopposed election for Sunetra Pawar.
Earlier in the day, NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar met Sapkal to brief him on the Ajit Pawar plane crash probe and thanked the Congress for registering an FIR in Karnataka. Later, NCP SP Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule also urged the Congress to withdraw its candidate, acknowledging Ajit Pawar’s contributions to the development of Maharashtra.