Baramati By-Poll Set for Contest as Congress Rejects Unopposed Route

Late Ajit Dada passed away in an aircraft accident. A by-election is now being held in Baramati. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has resigned from her Rajya Sabha membership. There was a broad consensus that the Baramati by-election should be unopposed.

However, the Congress emphasised that elections and sympathy are two separate issues.

Interviews of probable candidates for the Baramati Assembly by-election were conducted yesterday. Vanchit Aghadi had already expressed its willingness to support the Congress. This development is being seen as a setback to efforts aimed at ensuring an unopposed election in Baramati.

The Congress party has given the green signal to contest the by-elections in both Baramati and Rahuri Assembly constituencies. This has made it clear that elections in both places will not be uncontested.
It has also emerged that the Congress conducted interviews of interested candidates in both constituencies.

Meanwhile, before announcing the candidates, the party will hold discussions with its allies. It will soon become clear whether the election will be contested as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi or independently by the Congress, with other parties taking a neutral stand.
Applications from interested candidates have been received for both Baramati and Rahuri constituencies. Six applications have been received from Baramati, while four candidates have applied to contest on a Congress ticket from Rahuri.

Online interviews of all these candidates have been conducted. Party workers in both constituencies are keen to contest the elections. We have informed aspirants that candidates will be announced within a day or two. If the NCP decides not to contest, the Congress is ready to enter the fray, said Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal.

The by-election schedule for the Baramati and Rahuri Assembly constituencies was announced on March 30, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 6, while the scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on April 7. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 9. Polling for the by-elections will be held on April 23, followed by the counting of votes and declaration of results on May 4.
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