Sunetra Pawar to Contest Baramati Bypoll Amid Dhangar Protests; NCP (SP) Opts Out

The Baramati Assembly by-election, scheduled for April 23 following the death of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, is set to be contested by his wife, Sunetra Pawar, representing the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has decided not to field a candidate against her, aiming to avoid intra-family contest. However, protests from the Dhangar community over renaming a local medical college after Ajit Pawar may prompt an independent candidate to enter the race. The Election Commission also announced a bypoll in Rahuri, with parties deliberating on candidates there.