Baramati Bypoll 2026: Congress Sets Condition to Withdraw Candidature Against Sunetra Pawar

The Baramati Assembly by-election has taken a dramatic turn, drawing attention across the state. The Congress has clarified its stand after fielding a candidate against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and has set a condition for withdrawing from the candidature from the contest.

Congress candidate Adv. Akash More has said he will reconsider withdrawing his candidature only if a case is registered in connection with the Baramati plane crash in which five, among former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, were killed.

Also Read | Baramati By-Election 2026: Maharashtra DCM Sunetra Pawar To File Nomination Papers Today.

Efforts were reportedly made to ensure that the by-election to the seat, which fell vacant after Ajit Pawar’s death, would be unopposed. However, the Congress fielded Akash More, son of former MP Vijay More and a practising lawyer, at the last moment.

Congress Candidate Akash More Demand

“We are fighting this election to protect democracy and oppose the BJP’s ideology. Ajit Pawar’s accident cannot be treated as coincidence. The truth must come out. The Maharashtra government has not taken concrete steps so far. If an FIR is registered and a proper investigation is conducted, we will reconsider withdrawing from the Baramati by-election,” Akash More told media person on Monday.

He also questioned the government’s response, saying the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Home Department and should be addressed seriously. More added that while he had political differences with Ajit Pawar, he had supported him on development issues and described him as a capable leader.

Earlier, the by-election was expected to be uncontested after the Sharad Pawar faction and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena extended support to Sunetra Pawar. However, the Congress has altered the political dynamics by entering the fray.

Akash More, a lawyer by profession, had earlier contested against Ajit Pawar in 2014. Voting for the Baramati bypoll is scheduled for April 23, with results to be declared on May 4.

BJP's Reaction

"I think this is the reason why Congress has come out of people's minds. The reason is that they don't know what the public wants. All the people of Baramati wanted Sunetra to be elected without any opposition after the death of Ajit Dada. The way the situation is there, and Sunetra is going to fill the form today, people wanted her to be elected without any opposition. But the way Congress has filled the form and wants to fill the form, I think it is clear that Congress is going out of people's minds," said BJP State Vice President Keshav Upadhye.