Sunetra Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and candidate from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) for the upcoming Baramati assembly bypoll, has approached Harshwardhan Sapkal, the Maharashtra Congress president, seeking support for her unopposed victory. This request comes just before the deadline for withdrawing nominations, as Pawar aims to avoid a contested election. The bypoll, scheduled for April 23, was called following the tragic death of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28. Despite her hopes for an uncontested election, the Congress has nominated Akash More, a prominent Dhangar leader, which has complicated her plans. Sapkal indicated that he would need to consult with the Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, before making any decisions. Pawar has also reached out to other political figures, including Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT), in her attempts to secure support. Meanwhile, the Congress maintains that contesting the bypoll is essential for protecting democratic processes.