NCP to Continue Appeals for Congress Candidate Withdrawal in Baramati Bypoll
Senior leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have announced their intention to persistently lobby the Congress party leadership to withdraw its candidate from the upcoming Baramati bypoll. This strategic move follows internal tensions within the Congress, where members are reportedly upset with critical remarks made by Ajit Pawar's son, Parth, regarding the party's decision to contest the seat. However, a notable division of opinion exists within the Congress ranks over whether to proceed with the candidacy.
Bhujbal Cites Historical Alliance in Appeal to Congress
NCP cabinet minister Chhagan Bhujbal emphasized the deep-rooted political relationship between the two parties in his appeal. "Parth's comment against the Congress might have stemmed from momentary frustration," Bhujbal stated. "Historically, Ajit Pawar collaborated closely with the Congress, and after the formation of the NCP, he served in government alongside them for 15 years. Given this extensive partnership, we will persistently urge the senior leadership of the Congress to retract their candidate, allowing Sunetra vahini to secure an uncontested victory in the election."
Potential High-Level Meetings and Internal Congress Discord
According to NCP functionaries, a delegation of senior politicians is expected to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Wednesday to formally request the withdrawal of the Congress candidate from the Baramati contest. Meanwhile, within the Congress party, a significant rift has emerged. A Congress member revealed, "While a faction of state Congress members is adamant about contesting the Baramati seat, other senior figures believe the party should withdraw its candidate as a gesture of respect for the late Ajit Pawar." Some members may approach the central leadership in Delhi to advocate for this withdrawal, highlighting the internal debate over electoral strategy.
Nomination Scrutiny and Candidate Count Update
In related developments, the election office has completed the scrutiny of nominations for the Baramati bypoll. Two candidates were disqualified due to insufficient documentation, leaving a total of 53 candidates in the race. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations is set for Thursday, adding urgency to the ongoing political negotiations.
