Pune: Sharad Pawar Won’t Vote in Baramati Bypoll Due to Illness, Appeals Support for Sunetra
Pune, 21st April 2026: Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said he will not be able to cast his vote in the upcoming Baramati assembly bypoll scheduled for April 23 due to ill health. The by-election is being held following the death of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, and his wife and Pawar’s daughter-in-law Sunetra Ajit Pawar is contesting the bypoll on the NCP ticket.
Sunetra took oath as Deputy CM after husband’s death and all major parties including those from opposition have decided not to field their candidates. However, the elections are still being held several independents and those from smaller parties have filed their nominations. The campaign for the bypoll election ended on Tuesday evening and senior leaders including senior BJP leader and CM Devendra Fadnavis, Lok Sabha MP NCP’s Supriya Sule and others attended the last rally of the campaign for Sunetra Pawar.
In a statement on X on Tuesday, Sharad Pawar said he had exercised his voting right in the Baramati constituency continuously since contesting his first election in 1967 and had planned to travel to Baramati this time as well to vote, in keeping with tradition.
However, he said his health deteriorated recently, forcing him to be admitted to a hospital in Mumbai. Doctors have advised treatment and complete rest, and have barred him from travelling outside Mumbai.
“As a result, I am being deprived of exercising my right to vote due to unavoidable circumstances. I say this with deep anguish and regret,” Pawar said.
He added that he was confident the people, voters and party workers of Baramati, who have always shown him immense love and trust, would understand his situation.
Pawar said his party, NCP (SP), has extended support to Sunetra Ajit Pawar in the bypoll.
“This is also a tribute from our party to the late Ajit Pawar,” he said, appealing to voters in Baramati to support Sunetra Pawar and pay homage to the late leader through their votes.
He further said he had explored alternative options with the Election Commission to cast his vote without travelling in person, but was informed by state election officials that no such option was available.
“With a heavy heart, I have had to stay away from voting. I once again appeal to the people of Baramati to vote for Sunetra Ajit Pawar,” he said.
