Voting for the byelection, prompted by the death of then Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar in an air crash on January 28, is set for Thursday, with 23 candidates, including Sunetra Pawar, competing.
Although the election is anticipated to be straightforward for Sunetra Pawar, it remains to be seen whether she will win by a record margin similar to that of her late husband.
Local NCP leaders express concerns about voter turnout, fearing that the public might assume Sunetra Pawar’s victory is assured and choose not to vote.
In her closing address on Tuesday, Sunetra Pawar made an emotional appeal, stating that each vote for her would serve as a fitting tribute to Ajit ‘Dada’ (elder brother).
She pledged to ensure Ajit Pawar’s aspirations and vision for the constituency continue to be realized, asserting her commitment as deputy CM, a role she took on just days after her husband’s passing, despite lacking previous ministerial experience.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also spoke at the concluding rally on Tuesday, urged voters to come out in large numbers to support Sunetra ‘Vahini’ (sister-in-law), emphasizing that April 23 is the day to show love for and honor Ajit Dada.
It had been anticipated that major political parties would refrain from contesting against Sunetra in line with tradition; however, Congress initially announced a candidate who later withdrew after appeals from Sunetra Pawar and senior leaders of the NCP, NCP (SP), BJP, and others.
Despite this, 22 independent candidates remain in the race, making polling necessary.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar indicated in a social media message that he would not be able to vote in Baramati due to health issues.
District election officials report that extensive arrangements have been made for the bypoll.
”To prevent the scorching heat from discouraging voters, we have set up mandaps (sheds) outside polling stations and provided water coolers to ensure access to cold drinking water,” an official stated.
The constituency boasts a total of 3.84 lakh registered voters.
Ajit Pawar had secured the Baramati assembly seat, a stronghold of the extended Pawar family for decades, with 1,81,132 votes in the 2024 state elections, defeating his nephew Yugendra Pawar of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), who received 80,233 votes. The overall turnout was 71.57%.
