Why did the Congress withdraw its candidate from Baramati at the last minute?

Behind the scene, how political posturing, one-upmanship between NCP and NCP SP, and the difference of opinion between the MVA allies and within the Congress played out in Maharashtra.

In a rare political unity, the Pawar family on Thursday (April 9, 2026) came together to push the Congress to withdraw its candidate from Baramati on the last day of the withdrawal of nominations for the Maharashtra bypolls. The election to Baramati seat, which fell vacant due to the tragic demise of NCP leader Ajit Pawar, will not be unopposed though. Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, is set to contest from there. Thursday was marked by hectic political activities. And behind the scene was political posturing, emotive appeals, one-upmanship between the NCP and NCP(SP), differences of opinion between the MVA allies and within the Congress.