Baramati By-Poll To Be Held Unopposed, But Congress Is National Party So..., Says Sharad Pawar

National Congress Party-SP Chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday, April 9, gave an update on the Baramati by-election. Pawar said that the Congress has decided to contest the upcoming Baramati Assembly by-poll in Maharashtra. He made remarks while addressing the seat vacated after the death of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. 

Sharad Pawar said that the Congress is a national party and the decision is up to them. We cannot tell them what to do, but coincidentally, this seat has become vacant. A capable representative from Maharashtra has gone,” said NCP-SP chief, reported the news agency IANS.

Baramati, Maharashtra: NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar says, "The Congress has decided to contest; it is a national party. We cannot tell them what to do, but coincidentally, this seat has become vacant. A capable representative from Maharashtra has gone; if asked, I would advise… pic.twitter.com/TDHvqcGYBM

— IANS (@ians_india) April 9, 2026

“It would be appropriate for this election to be held unopposed, but the decision is up to Congress," Pawar added.

Rohit Pawar Meets State Congress Chief Harshwardhan Sapkal

NCP leader met Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal in Mumbai on Thursday, urging the party to withdraw its candidate from the contest. The meeting between Congress and NCP-SP intensified with the motive that the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar should be elected unopposed from the Baramati constituency.

Also Read | Baramati By-poll 2026: Sunetra Pawar Vows To Continue Ajit Pawar's Legacy, Assures Workers Support.

In an X post, Rohit Pawar wrote that an uncontested election in Baramati “is the wish of every person in the state who loves Ajitdada, and of all the people of Baramati.” He wrote that the career of late Ajit Pawar was spent in Congress and later alongside the Congress, during this, he maintained a close relationship with every Congressperson.

“Today is the last day to withdraw nomination papers for the Baramati Assembly by-election candidacy. Against this backdrop, we met with the Congress state president, Hon. Harshvardhan Sapkal Saheb, in Mumbai, and considering Ajitdada, his work, and his relationship with the Congress, we requested him that the Congress should withdraw its candidacy in Baramati,” Rohit Pawar wrote.

Rohit Pawar said after meeting Harshwardhan Sapkal, he stated that if the state government has not filed an FIR in the plane crash incident involving Ajit Pawar in Maharashtra, then Congress will fight against such a government. 

बारामती विधानसभेची पोटनिवडणूक ही बिनविरोध होणं ही अजितदादांवर प्रेम करणाऱ्या राज्यातील प्रत्येकाची आणि तमाम बारामतीकरांची इच्छा आहे. अजितदादांची बहुतांश राजकीय कारकिर्द ही काँग्रेसमध्ये आणि नंतर काँग्रेससोबत गेली. या काळात काँग्रेसच्या प्रत्येक नेत्याशी त्यांचा अत्यंत निकटचा… pic.twitter.com/aRiQygb5u7

— Rohit Pawar (@RRPSpeaks) April 9, 2026

“If an FIR for the accident of a prominent leader like Ajitdada is not being filed in Maharashtra, why shouldn't we fight against such a government? This was the clear stance he articulated this time. We respect his views and his party's policy,” Rohit Pawar wrote further.

“Nevertheless, I request all the independent candidates, along with the Congress, who have filed nominations, to withdraw their papers and cooperate in ensuring that Sunetrakaki is elected unopposed, and I am confident that all of you will honor this request,” said Rohit Pawar.