In a major reversal hours before the deadline to withdraw nomination, the Congress on Thursday announced that it would not contest the Baramati Assembly elections, paving the way for Sunetra Pawar’s undisputed victory.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party initially went ahead with its campaign after nominating Akash More for the bypoll in Baramati, but decided to withdraw after continuous communication from NCP leaders.
“We discussed internally and opined that our decision was correct but considering the traditions of Maharashtra and the contacts made, the party has decided to withdraw our candidate Akash More from the Baramati polls,” Sapkal said.
“The death of Ajit Pawar was certainly unfortunate. He was also associated with the Congress in the past. Sunetra Pawar called me three times till today. A delegation also met me. Senior NCP leaders Chhagan Bhujbal and Dhananjay Munde requested me over the phone. NCP SP MLA Rohit Pawar also made the same request and expressed regret over the statement issued against the Congress,” he added.
The announcement comes on the final day to withdraw nominations, effectively ending days of uncertainty over Congress’ position.
As many as 20 candidates had withdrawn their nominations for the bypoll in Baramati, as of 1:45 pm on Thursday. A total of 55 candidates had initially submitted their papers.
Pressure campaign culminates in resolution
The Congress move comes in the wake of sustained pressure from across the political spectrum to allow unopposed elections in Baramati following the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28.
By-elections on April 23 were necessitated by the death of the deputy prime minister, prompting calls for symbolic elections to be held without opposition.
Supriya Sule directly appealed to the Congress leadership on Thursday, terming the move as a tribute. “After the sudden death of Ajit Pawar, the Baramati Assembly constituency is now facing by-elections,” she said in a post on X.
She stressed Pawar’s long association with the Congress, noting that “Ajit Dada’s political journey began with the Congress Party”, and urged the party to view the “unopposed election in Baramati” as a “dignified and sincere tribute to his legacy of public service and inclusive politics”.
Congress signals the possibility of a rethink
Earlier, Congress Legislative Party chief Vijay Wadettiwar had indicated that the party may withdraw the nomination of its candidate, Akash More, from the bypoll in Baramati, indicating room for flexibility amid the mounting pressure.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal is in discussions with the party leadership, with insiders saying a final decision is still being worked out.
A five-member delegation headed by NCP Minister Makarand Patel arrived at the Congress office to meet Sapkal on Thursday.
The delegation, which includes MLAs Sanjay Khodke, Rajesh Vettikar, Manoj Kayande and Sana Malik, is expected to urge the Congress to reverse its decision and ensure that the Baramati poll is not challenged.
“Congress will face the consequences.”
Earlier in the day, Congress Party’s (SP) Rohit Pawar also met Sapkal with a similar request.
Meanwhile, state minister Chandrashekar Pawankole said, “Congress will face consequences if it does not allow Sunetra to win unopposed from Baramati. Its downfall from Baramati will begin if it does not withdraw its candidate,” PTI reported.
He added that people across Baramati and Maharashtra want to elect Sunetra Pawar unopposed.
Despite repeated calls for a consensus, 53 candidates, including Sunetra Pawar and Congress candidate Akash More, have submitted their nominations.
The situation escalated after Parth Pawar criticized the Congress for fielding a candidate and predicted the “downfall” of the party. Congress responded sharply, calling him an “ungrateful son.”
Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule admitted that the Congress, as an independent political party, has every right to contest the elections.
(With inputs from Hizb ut-Tahrir correspondent Faisal Malik)
