Voting Underway for Key Maharashtra By-elections in Baramati and Rahuri
Polling Commences in Maharashtra's Baramati and Rahuri
Voting for the crucial by-elections in Maharashtra's Baramati and Rahuri began at 7 AM on Thursday. While Baramati is experiencing a highly emotional atmosphere, the triangular contest in Rahuri has intensified political activity. The polling will continue until 6 PM, with stringent security measures in place.
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 and Voter Statistics
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 in the race, facing off against Govind Mokate from the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) and Santosh Chaalke from the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. The Rahuri seat became vacant following the death of BJP MLA Shivaji Kardile last October.
Political Dynamics and Voter Sentiment
Akshay Kardile is the son of the late Shivaji Kardile. The Maharashtra Assembly comprises 288 seats, with the ruling Mahayuti coalition holding 235 seats—132 from the BJP, 57 from Shiv Sena, 41 from NCP, and five from allied parties. The opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, has 50 seats, including 20 from Shiv Sena (UBT), 16 from Congress, 10 from NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and four from others.
Sunetra Pawar remarked to reporters, "People in Baramati are coming out in large numbers to vote. I wouldn’t call it enthusiasm; rather, they are fulfilling their duty. By doing so, they are paying tribute to Dada (a term of affection for Ajit Pawar)." She emphasized that this by-election is taking place in a deeply emotional context, noting, "For the past 60 years, the people of Baramati have supported the Pawar family. This election is a tribute to Ajit Dada's absence, and voters are honoring him as they cast their ballots."
Before voting, Sunetra Pawar paid her respects to Ajit Pawar at the Vidya Pratishthan College campus in Baramati, where his last rites were conducted. When asked about Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar's uncle and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader, not being able to vote, Sunetra mentioned that she had checked on his well-being.
Family Participation in the Elections
Ajit Pawar's son, Parth Pawar, also voted at the Katewadi polling station in Baramati. Additionally, Ajit Pawar's younger son, Jay Pawar, appealed to the public to express their respect for the late NCP leader by voting in large numbers. Notably, the ruling NCP has no opposition candidate from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in this election. The opposition party, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), decided not to field a candidate against Sunetra Pawar. Although the Congress had nominated Akash More, they later withdrew his candidacy.