Maharashtra BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule claimed that the people in Baramati and across Maharashtra favour an uncontested victory for Sunetra Pawar
Maharashtra BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule. File Pic/X
Maharashtra BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday claimed that it will lead to Congress' downfall if it does not allow Sunetra Pawar to win the Baramati Assembly by-election unopposed, reported the PTI.
Bawankule claimed that if the Congress refuses to withdraw its candidate, the party’s political decline would begin from Baramati. He added that people in Baramati and across Maharashtra favour an uncontested victory for Sunetra Pawar.
The by-election, scheduled for April 23, was necessitated by the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28 in Baramati. Following his passing, his wife Sunetra Pawar assumed the role of NCP president.
Mahayuti alliance backs Sunetra Pawar
The ruling Mahayuti alliance—comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the NCP, and the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde—is united in supporting Sunetra Pawar’s candidature.
Despite appeals for an uncontested election, the Congress has fielded advocate Akash More. The party has stated it will only consider withdrawing if a First Information Report (FIR) is registered in connection with Ajit Pawar’s death.
BJP confident in elections
Meanwhile, Responding to a separate query, Bawankule expressed confidence that the BJP will perform better in the ongoing Assembly elections in Assam and Kerala compared to previous polls.
He added that the results would reaffirm the popularity and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
NCP (SP) urges Congress to withdraw from bypoll
The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) on Thursday urged the Congress to withdraw its candidate from the Baramati bypoll 2026. The appeal aims to ensure an uncontested victory for NCP president Sunetra Pawar, reported the PTI.
Senior leaders including Sharad Pawar, Supriya Sule, and Rohit Pawar urged the Congress to withdraw its candidate from the polls.
Sharad Pawar stated that the bypoll has been necessitated by the tragic death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier this year. He suggested that, under such circumstances, it would be appropriate for the Congress to refrain from contesting as a mark of respect, the news agency reported.
While acknowledging that the Congress is an independent national party, Pawar remarked that if consulted, he would advise making the election unopposed as a tribute to the late leader.
The NCP (SP) has confirmed it will not field any candidate against Sunetra Pawar. A total of 55 candidates have submitted nominations for the by-election, with April 9 being the final date for withdrawal, according to the PTI.
(with PTI inputs)
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