Sunetra Pawar Files Nomination for Baramati Bypolls Amid Party Dynamics

Original: Battle for Baramati: Sunetra Pawar files nomination, Sharad Pawar’s photo displayed during NCP rally

The Hindu•Apr 7, 20264 min

In a Nutshell

Sunetra Pawar has filed her nomination as the Nationalist Congress Party candidate for the Baramati bypolls, following the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar. The rally showcased party unity, although internal disagreements emerged regarding candidate support and election strategy.

Key Points

01Sunetra Pawar filed her nomination for Baramati bypolls, emphasizing her late husband's legacy.
02Sharad Pawar criticized the display of his photo alongside political rivals at the rally.
03Internal party disagreements surfaced over the approach to the election, particularly regarding unopposed candidacy.
04BJP leaders called for support to make the election unopposed, citing political culture concerns.
05Sharad Pawar declined to campaign for Sunetra, emphasizing family responsibilities.

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Full Summary

On April 6, 2026, Sunetra Pawar filed her nomination as the Nationalist Congress Party candidate for the Baramati bypolls, following the tragic loss of her husband, Ajit Pawar. During the nomination rally, which featured the emotional presence of party leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Sunetra expressed her commitment to Baramati, stating it was not just a constituency but her identity. However, the rally was marked by controversy as Sharad Pawar criticized the display of his photo alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting it was inappropriate for the NCP platform. Internal party tensions were evident as some leaders sought to negotiate an unopposed election with Congress, while Sunetra's son, Parth, opposed such discussions. Meanwhile, Bawankule urged all parties to support an unopposed election, reflecting on the political culture of Maharashtra. Sharad Pawar later confirmed he would not campaign for Sunetra, highlighting his family responsibilities and past electoral experiences.

Key Figures