Sunetra Pawar Reaches Out to Uddhav Thackeray for Baramati Bypoll Support
In a significant political development, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has personally dialled Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to seek his party's backing for winning the Baramati assembly byelection unopposed. This move comes as the Congress party has staked its claim to the Pawar family's traditional Baramati seat, with state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal conducting online interviews with aspirants over recent days.
Congress Challenges MVA Unity with Bypoll Ambitions
The Baramati bypoll has once again highlighted fractures within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. While the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has declared it will not field any candidate against Sunetra Pawar, Congress has openly announced its intent to contest the election. This divergence places the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s position as crucial in determining whether the election proceeds unopposed.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut confirmed the conversation between Sunetra Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, stating, "DCM Sunetra Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray spoke over the phone yesterday. They discussed the Baramati byelection. This contest has drawn everyone's attention. What happened in that discussion and what the party decides will soon be communicated by the party chief himself."
Emotional Bonds and Political Calculations
Raut emphasized the emotional connection between Uddhav Thackeray and the late Ajit Pawar, whose death in a plane crash on January 28 necessitated the bypoll. "Ajit Pawar was a trusted and close associate of Uddhav Thackeray. So I think Uddhav Thackeray will talk to us regarding the unopposed byelection," he noted. However, he also pointed out the political complexities, as Sunetra Pawar's party aligns with the BJP, not the MVA.
Regarding Congress's stance, Raut remarked, "If Congress makes a different decision, we should examine it as MVA. But Uddhav and Ajit Pawar had an emotional bond..." He added that he is unaware if Sunetra Pawar discussed the unopposed election issue with Congress, and referenced past BJP candidacies in byelections.
Congress Firm on Contesting, Fadnavis Advocates Unity
Congress state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal has been resolute, stating, "We have received six applications for Baramati and four for the Rahuri seat so far. If NCP (SP) is not contesting these seats, our party will, and we are firm about it." This has prompted senior NCP (SP) members to hold internal discussions to finalize a candidate for the Rahuri seat.
In contrast, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called for all-party support for Sunetra Pawar's candidature. He cited the precedent of the BJP not contesting the 2015 by-poll after NCP's RR Patil's death, facilitating an unopposed election. "I think all parties should support Sunetra Pawar. If this by-election is held unopposed, Maharashtra will be in a favourable position. Maharashtra has held unopposed by-elections many times before. All parties should be brave and hold this election unopposed," Fadnavis asserted.
Family and Party Dynamics in Play
Jay Pawar, the younger son of the late Ajit Pawar, has taken charge of steering the campaign for his mother, Sunetra Pawar, in Baramati. Responding to Congress's decision, Jay indicated that party seniors would engage in talks with the Congress leadership but clarified that even if Congress proceeds, the NCP would not object.
Sunetra Pawar is set to file her nomination for the Baramati bypoll on Monday, which marks the final day for submission. The political maneuvering underscores the high stakes involved, with personal relationships, alliance loyalties, and electoral strategies all converging in this closely watched contest.
