Sunetra Pawar Set to be Elected Unopposed After Congress Candidate Withdraws Nomination

MUMBAI: In a dramatic turn of events that has reshaped the political landscape of Maharashtra, Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, is set to be elected unopposed to the State Legislative Assembly from the Baramati constituency. The path was cleared on Thursday, April 9, 2026—the final day for the withdrawal of candidatures—when the Congress candidate unexpectedly pulled out of the race.

The by-election for the prestigious Baramati seat was necessitated by the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar, who passed away in a devastating plane crash in January 2026. Following his death, the Election Commission had scheduled the bypoll for April 23, 2026. The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the BJP, decided to field Sunetra Pawar to carry forward the legacy of her late husband in his home bastion.

In a rare display of political solidarity and respect for the late leader, the primary opposition factions – the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT)—had initially decided not to field any candidates against Sunetra Pawar. This “gentleman’s agreement” was seen as a tribute to Ajit Pawar’s long-standing influence in Baramati and a gesture of empathy toward his grieving family.

However, the Indian National Congress (INC) had diverged from this stance, fielding Akash More as their official candidate. More’s nomination had been scrutinized and accepted, leading many to believe that Baramati would witness a symbolic, if not intense, contest.

The “sudden twist” occurred this afternoon at the Returning Officer’s office. Just hours before the deadline for withdrawal closed at 3:00 PM, Akash More officially withdrew his nomination papers.

While the Congress leadership has yet to issue an official statement on the late-hour withdrawal, sources suggest that internal pressure and the prevailing sentiment in Baramati to allow the Pawar family to represent the seat without a contest played a decisive role. With no other valid candidates remaining in the fray, the election officials are expected to formally declare Sunetra Pawar as the winner later this evening.

Sunetra Pawar’s unopposed entry into the Assembly provides a significant emotional and political boost to the Mahayuti alliance. For Baramati, this ensures continuity in leadership as the region recovers from the shock of losing its most prominent political figure.

The move also signals a momentary softening of the bitter rivalries that have defined Maharashtra politics since the split of the original NCP. By allowing Sunetra Pawar a clear path, the opposition has avoided a potentially divisive campaign in a constituency that remains the spiritual and political heart of the Pawar clan.