Baramati Bypoll: Congress Fields Candidate Against Sunetra Pawar in Debut Assembly Contest

The Baramati assembly bypoll, initially expected to be a unanimous and unopposed contest, has now turned politically charged after the Congress fielded Akash More against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar , while also linking its possible withdrawal to legal action in the death of former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar .

The April 23 bypoll was necessitated following Ajit Pawar’s death in a plane crash earlier this year. While parties across the political spectrum, including factions of the Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena (UBT) , had backed the idea of an uncontested election as a mark of respect, the Congress decision to contest has disrupted that consensus .

In a significant development, Congress leaders have indicated that the party may reconsider its decision and withdraw its candidate if an FIR is registered in connection with the plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar. The demand has raised critical questions about the circumstances surrounding the crash and whether due investigation procedures have been followed.

The party’s stand suggests that it is seeking accountability and transparency before stepping aside, rather than extending unconditional political support.

The crash that led to Ajit Pawar’s death continues to be shrouded in uncertainty. So far, there has been no clear public explanation regarding the exact cause of the crash whether it was due to technical failure , human error , or external factors.

Equally concerning is the absence of a First Information Report (FIR) in the case, which has become a focal point of the Congress’s argument. Legal experts point out that in aviation accidents, responsibility if any is typically determined after a detailed probe involving aviation authorities, making the question of “who to book” complex at this stage.

Possible areas of investigation could include aircraft maintenance and technical fitness, actions of the pilot and crew, air traffic control coordination, and compliance with aviation safety norms . However, without a formal FIR or publicly disclosed findings, speculation continues to grow.

The apparent delay in establishing accountability has also sparked political debate. Congress sources have questioned why there has been no visible progress or clarity in the investigation months after the incident. Experts note that aviation accident probes often take time due to technical complexity , involvement of multiple agencies, and the need for forensic analysis . However, the lack of interim updates has added to the controversy.

The Congress move has exposed cracks within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. While allies appeared inclined toward a consensus candidate, Congress has chosen a conditional approach balancing political participation with demands for accountability.

Meanwhile, leaders from the ruling alliance, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde , have reiterated appeals to uphold Maharashtra’s political tradition of not contesting against the kin of a deceased leader.

With Akash More in the fray and Sunetra Pawar making her electoral debut, the Baramati bypoll is no longer a symbolic contest but a politically significant battle. The outcome could influence not only local equations but also broader opposition unity in Maharashtra. Votes will be counted on May 4, with the focus now shifting as much to the investigation into Ajit Pawar’s death as to the electoral outcome itself.