Baramati Bypoll Sees Record 53 Candidates Against Sunetra Pawar, Breaking Unopposed Tradition
Pune Ward Restructuring Faces Scrutiny As Sunetra Pawar Seeks Review From CM
Baramati, April 9, 2026: The upcoming by-election in Baramati has witnessed an unprecedented surge in candidates, with a total of 53 contenders in the fray against Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar faction) Sunetra Pawar, marking a sharp departure from the state’s long-standing tradition of uncontested bypolls following a leader’s death.
The bypoll was necessitated after the demise of senior leader Ajit Pawar, whose passing had created a wave of sympathy across the constituency. Traditionally, such elections in Maharashtra are often held unopposed as a mark of respect, but the Baramati contest tells a different story.
A total of 55 nomination forms were initially filed, of which two were rejected, leaving 53 candidates in the fray. This is the highest number of candidates in any by-election in the state since 2024.
Despite expectations of a smooth electoral path for Sunetra Pawar, multiple candidates including one from the Congress party have entered the race. Notably, this development comes even as parties within the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance are present in the state, raising questions about political coordination.
On the other hand, major parties such as the BJP, Shiv Sena, and the Thackeray faction have not fielded candidates in the bypoll.
Political observers say the unusually high number of contestants reflects changing electoral dynamics in Baramati, a constituency long associated with the Pawar family. The situation has also sparked debate over why the traditional practice of uncontested by-elections was not followed, despite the emotional backdrop surrounding Ajit Pawar’s demise.
The Baramati bypoll now stands out as one of the most keenly watched contests, not only for its political significance but also for the record number of candidates in the fray.
