A total of 23 candidates, among them Nationalist Congress Party nominee Sunetra Pawar, will participate in the Baramati by-election on April 23. Despite the withdrawal of Congress candidate Akash More, Sunetra Pawar faces competition from 22 candidates, primarily independents. Initially, 53 nominees had filed their nominations by the deadline, with 24 withdrawals and six candidates stepping out of the race.
With 23 candidates remaining in the electoral fray, the focus shifts to controversial figures like Abhijit Bichukale and Karuna Munde-Sharma. Speculation surrounded their potential withdrawal post the Congress candidate’s exit, but as they missed the deadline, their candidacies stand. The administrative preparations are underway for the upcoming polls, with the by-election now a significant test for local leadership.
The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee officially announced its withdrawal from the Baramati Assembly by-election today. State President Harshwardhan Sapkal cited emotional appeals and Maharashtra’s traditions as reasons for the decision. Despite ideological differences with the BJP, the Congress leadership heeded requests from NCP leaders, including Sunetra Pawar, for withdrawal.
