Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar has called Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and sought his support for her nomination in the bypoll in Baramati scheduled on April 23. The seat fell vacant after Sunetra’s husband, former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, died in a plane crash on January 28.
According to NCP leaders, Sunetra called Thackeray on Friday, soon after the Congress announced its intention to contest the Assembly seat. Thackeray’s response to the request was that he would discuss the issue with his party members and take a decision. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief is believed to be inclined to support Sunetra and is likely to announce his decision by April 5. Sunetra is expected to file her nomination papers on April 6.
“Sunetra Pawar spoke to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief over phone and they had a detailed discussion on the elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut confirmed that he will announce his decision soon,” he said.
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Thackeray’s decision to support the NCP’s candidate instead of its ally Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA), Congress, may also impact the alliance.
Sunetra is likely to make similar requests to other political parties, including the Congress.
The National Congress Party worked to ensure that she won unopposed, and to this end, it was communicating with the parties not to field an opposition candidate. However, while others were favorably inclined, Congress was not. The party has decided to field a candidate and has begun the selection process. It has managed to garner support from Mahadev Jankar-led Rashtriya Samaj Paksha Party and Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Party, which could matter in the polls. The RSP has significant support in the constituency, as Baramati has a large Dhangar population who follow Jankar.
Even Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis supported the idea of an unopposed Sunetra victory on the grounds of Maharashtra’s “political tradition and dignity”. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, the Prime Minister said uncontested by-elections, where parties rise above political differences, would be in keeping with these traditions. “I think all parties should support Sunetra Tai’s candidacy,” he said.
