Baramati Assembly By-Election: In a dramatic turn of events, Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal announced that the party will withdraw its candidate from the Baramati Assembly by-election, where it fielded Akash More against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar. Baramati, home to late NCP leader Ajit Pawar, will vote on April 23.

CM Fadnavis' Surprise Call To Maharashtra Congress Chief

The development comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made a surprise call to Sapkal, in an attempt to ensure Sunetra Pawar's unopposed victory, marking a symbolic move to show respect to late Ajit Pawar. Thursday was the final day for withdrawing nominations, and all eyes were on whether the high-stakes battle would turn into an unopposed win for the ruling alliance or a contest.

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News agency IANS, quoting sources, reported that CM Fadnavis made a direct phone call to Sapkal. During the conversation, Fadnavis reportedly requested the Congress party to withdraw its candidate from the Baramati by-election to ensure the unopposed election of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who is contesting as the candidate for the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction).

This move is being viewed as one of the most surprising incidents in recent state politics. It is perhaps the first time that a top leader from the ruling BJP has directly contacted the state head of the primary opposition party to seek a withdrawal of candidacy.

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Sharad Pawar Speaks To Kharge

Earlier, the NCP(SP) chief, Sharad Pawar, spoke to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the withdrawal of the party's nominee in Baramati. The Congress high command has informed Pawar that they are "positively considering" the proposal.

Pawar told reporters, "The Congress has decided to contest the by-election in Baramati. It is a national party. We cannot tell them what to do, but coincidentally, this seat has become vacant after the demise of a capable representative from Maharashtra. If asked, I would advise Congress. It would be appropriate for this election to be held unopposed, but the decision is up to Congress."

(With IANS Inputs)