Sunetra Pawar to File Nomination for Baramati Assembly Bypoll on Monday
In a significant political development, Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sunetra Pawar is scheduled to file her nomination on Monday for the Baramati assembly byelection. This seat became vacant following the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in an aircrash in January. The bypoll has quickly become a focal point of political maneuvering in Maharashtra.
Congress Candidate Announcement Exposes MVA Alliance Divide
While the NCP had been advocating for an unopposed election to honor the late leader, the Congress party declared Akash More as its candidate for the Baramati seat on Sunday evening. Akash More is the son of former Congress MLC Vijayrao More. This move has starkly revealed the deepening divide within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the NCP, Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT).
Sharad Pawar's faction of the NCP, known as NCP (SP), had previously announced it would not field a candidate against Sunetra Pawar, showing a gesture of solidarity. However, the Congress's decision to contest has introduced tension into the alliance dynamics.
Conflicting Statements from Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP Leaders
NCP state president Sunil Tatkare stated that Shiv Sena (UBT) had agreed to support Sunetra Pawar and would not field a candidate against her. He mentioned that Sunetra had spoken to Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray over the phone to secure this support. Despite this, Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut clarified that an official decision on the matter has yet to be declared, adding uncertainty to the situation.
Earlier in the day, Tatkare revealed that he would request Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to refrain from fielding a candidate. However, Congress remained firm from the outset, insisting on contesting the bypoll, which underscores the party's independent stance within the MVA.
Internal NCP Dynamics and Family Rifts
Amidst these political calculations, there are signs of a rift between Ajit Pawar's family and senior NCP leaders, including Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare. Despite these internal tensions, both Patel and Tatkare are expected to be present when Sunetra Pawar files her nomination papers. Tatkare emphasized, "We have asked all our ministers and MLAs to be present," indicating a show of unity within the party during this critical event.
The Baramati bypoll is not just a routine electoral exercise but a test of the MVA alliance's cohesion and the NCP's internal stability. As Sunetra Pawar steps forward to contest, the political landscape in Maharashtra is poised for further shifts, with implications for future alliances and governance.
