The forthcoming Baramati Assembly by-election has been shaped by a mix of grief, political calculation, and appeals for restraint, with unusual attention being drawn to the possibility of a consensus-driven contest. At the centre of the developments, support has been sought by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Sunetra Pawar from Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, whose response has been awaited amid shifting alliance signals.
It has been confirmed by leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT) that a discussion was held between Sunetra Pawar and Thackeray on Friday regarding the bypoll. The conversation has been viewed as politically significant because it has taken place at a moment when Baramati is still being seen through the lens of personal loss following the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28. The election itself has been necessitated by that tragedy, and a strong emotional undertone has been attached to the contest ever since.
An appeal for the election to be held unopposed has also been made by senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare. It has been argued by him that the people of Baramati are passing through an emotionally difficult phase and that the political class should respond with sensitivity. Such a move, it has been suggested, would be consistent with the political culture of Maharashtra and would be seen as a collective gesture of respect towards a leader whose influence on the constituency had been firmly established over decades.
At the same time, differences within the opposition camp have been brought into focus. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has already indicated that no candidate will be fielded against Sunetra Pawar. However, a different message has been delivered by the Maharashtra Congress unit, where an intention to contest the by-election has been announced. It has further been claimed by state leaders that the party high command has given approval, and the process of identifying possible candidates has reportedly already been carried out.
These differing positions have created uncertainty within the Maha Vikas Aghadi, of which Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP) are all constituents. It has been suggested by Sanjay Raut that if Congress chooses an independent path, interference from alliance partners may not be appropriate. Yet, it has also been emphasised by him that a special emotional connection had existed between Uddhav Thackeray and Ajit Pawar, and that this factor could not be ignored while the matter is being considered.
The importance of personal ties has therefore been brought into the political discussion alongside coalition arithmetic. It has been indicated through sources that Thackeray may not be opposed to backing Sunetra Pawar, partly because of his close association with the Pawar family. Even so, a final public stand has not yet been declared, and it has been said that it will be announced through a press conference after further consideration.
Meanwhile, Sunetra Pawar’s candidature has been steadily formalised. It has been reported by NCP sources that her nomination papers are expected to be filed on April 6. Her elevation in state politics has already been accelerated in recent months, as she was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister on January 31 and was later elected president of the NCP.
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