Baramati bypoll: Sunetra Pawar Files Nomination, Calls for Unity after Ajit Pawar’s Death
Baramati, 6th April 2026: Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Monday filed her nomination for the Baramati Assembly bypoll, framing the contest as one rooted in legacy and collective responsibility, and said the constituency was “not just a seat, but Ajit Pawar’s heartbeat”.
Sunetra Pawar was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, as well as her sons Parth and Jay Pawar. The bypoll was necessitated after the seat fell vacant following the death of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28.
Addressing party workers after filing her nomination papers, Pawar said, the upcoming by-election is not a personal contest, but one that belongs to every Baramatikar who holds affection and respect for Ajit Pawar.
Recalling the recent loss, she said that two months ago, the state and Baramati lost its beloved leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, respected Ajit dada. “This is not just a loss for my family, but a deep loss for the entire Baramati.
His passing has left Baramatikars feeling orphaned,” she said, adding that this is the first election being held in his absence, and urged people to stand united to carry forward his vision of development.
An all-party meeting of the ruling Mahayuti alliance was held in Baramati in the run-up to the bypoll, attended by senior leaders including Eknath Shinde, Prafulla Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Chhagan Bhujbal, Dilip Walse Patil and Hasan Mushrif, along with workers from the BJP, Shiv Sena, RPI, Rayat Kranti Sanghatana, Bhimshakti Republican Sena and the NCP.
She reiterated that transforming Baramati into a world-class city was Dada’s dream. “No one can replace him, but fulfilling his vision with honesty is the responsibility of all of us,” she said, adding that she considers the entire Baramati as her family.
She also said that the tradition of Ajit Pawar’s ‘Janata Darbar’ would continue and assured that public grievances would be addressed. She added that illegal activities and harassment of citizens would not be tolerated, and promised to complete pending development works initiated earlier.
The bypoll, however, is set to be a contest after the Congress on Sunday fielded Akash More as its candidate, even as the NCP and its Mahayuti allies had been exploring the possibility of an unopposed election. Election Commission officials said a total of 68 nominations have been received for the seat. The last date for withdrawal is April 9, polling is scheduled for April 23, and counting will take place on May 4.
