Voting Underway for Key Maharashtra By-Elections in Baramati and Rahuri

The by-elections in Maharashtra's Baramati and Rahuri are currently taking place, with voting starting at 7 AM and continuing until 6 PM. The atmosphere in Baramati is charged with emotion as Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar appeals to voters to honor her late husband, Ajit Pawar. A total of 23 candidates are contesting in Baramati, while Rahuri sees a competitive race among three candidates. This election holds significant emotional weight for the Pawar family and the constituents, marking a pivotal moment in Maharashtra's political landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 23, 2026, 09:59 IST

Voting Process and Atmosphere

Polling for the crucial by-elections in Maharashtra's Baramati and Rahuri commenced at 7 AM on Thursday. While Baramati is experiencing a highly emotional atmosphere, the triangular contest in Rahuri has intensified political activity. Voting will continue until 6 PM, with stringent security measures in place.

Candidates and Voter Appeal

Sunetra Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, cast her vote in Baramati and urged voters to honor her late husband, Ajit Pawar, by supporting her. This by-election is being held due to the tragic passing of Ajit Pawar, the former Deputy Chief Minister and leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in a plane crash on January 28.

Candidates in the Race

A total of 23 candidates, including Sunetra Pawar, are contesting in this constituency, which has 384,000 registered voters. In Rahuri, Akshay Kardile from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is competing against Govind Mokate from NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Santosh Chalke from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. The Rahuri seat became vacant following the death of BJP MLA Shivaji Kardile last October.

Political Landscape

Akshay Kardile is the son of the late Shivaji Kardile. The Maharashtra Assembly consists of 288 seats, with the ruling Mahayuti coalition holding 235 seats—132 from BJP, 57 from Shiv Sena, 41 from NCP, and five from allied parties. In contrast, the opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi, has 50 seats, including 20 from Shiv Sena (UBT), 16 from Congress, 10 from NCP (Shiv), and four from others.

Emotional Significance of the Election

Sunetra Pawar remarked to reporters that a significant number of Baramati residents are participating in the voting process, stating, "I wouldn't call it enthusiasm; rather, they are fulfilling their duty." She emphasized that this election is taking place in a deeply emotional context, as the people of Baramati have supported the Pawar family for the past 60 years. This by-election is a tribute to Ajit Pawar's legacy, and voters are honoring him as they cast their ballots.

Family Participation

Before voting, Sunetra Pawar paid homage to Ajit Pawar at the Vidya Pratishthan College campus in Baramati, where his last rites were held. She also mentioned that Ajit Pawar's 89-year-old mother exercised her voting rights at home. Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, voted at the Katewadi polling station, while his younger son, Jay Pawar, encouraged the public to express their respect for the late NCP leader by voting in large numbers. Notably, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi did not field a candidate against Sunetra Pawar, as the NCP (Shiv faction) decided not to contest, and Congress withdrew its candidate, Akash More.