Sunetra Pawar to Contest Baramati Bypoll After Ajit Pawars Death

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party president Sunetra Pawar is set to contest the Baramati Assembly bypoll on April 23, following the death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash on January 28. The seat, a longtime stronghold of the Pawar family in Pune district, became vacant after Ajit Pawar, an eight-time legislator from the constituency, perished along with four others near the Baramati airstrip. Sunetra Pawar plans to file her nomination papers on April 6, accompanied by senior leaders including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, after addressing a public meeting in the area.

The bypoll, with results expected on May 4, has drawn attention amid efforts to secure an unopposed victory for Sunetra Pawar. Fadnavis appealed last month for the election to proceed without contest, citing Maharashtra's tradition following the death of a prominent figure. Ajit Pawar's son, Jay Pawar, expressed optimism for such an outcome, noting the emotional bond residents share with his late father. "The people of Baramati know who worked relentlessly for them," Jay Pawar said, adding that party seniors had approached...