Baramati Bypoll: Congress To Withdraw Candidate Against Sunetra Pawar; Devendra Fadnavis Speaks With Harshwardhan Sapkal

The Congress has reportedly decided to withdraw its candidate, Akash More, against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar for the upcoming Baramati Assembly bypoll.

This comes after NCP-SP Working President Supriya Sule urged Congress to withdraw More's candidature for the byelection for the Baramati Assembly seat, which fell vacant after the demise of Ajit Pawar.

In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Sule called for an unopposed election as a tribute to the late Ajit Pawar.

Sule said, "Following the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar, the Baramati Assembly constituency now faces a by-election. Ajit Dada's political journey began with the Congress party, and he maintained a long-standing, respectful association with it throughout his career."

"In this moment of grief and remembrance, an unopposed election in Baramati would serve as a dignified and heartfelt tribute to his legacy of public service and inclusive politics. I sincerely appeal to the Congress leadership to consider this gesture in the spirit of respect, unity," she added.

Earlier in the day, NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar met Sapkal, urging the party to withdraw its candidate to facilitate the unopposed election of his aunt Sunetra Pawar.

“I am confident the Congress will take an appropriate and positive decision after speaking to its leadership,” he said.

A day earlier, Sunetra Pawar had spoken to Sapkal to request him to ensure that his party’s candidate withdraws his nomination against her in the bypoll, according to sources.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reported dialled Sapkal. During this conversation, Fadnavis requested that the Congress party withdraw its candidate from Baramati to facilitate the unopposed election of Sunetra Pawar.