Sunetra Pawar leads Baramati bypoll by 36,377 votes after 4 rounds
Synopsis
The Baramati bypoll — triggered by the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in an air crash — is heading for a decisive win for his widow Sunetra Pawar, who leads by over 36,000 votes after four rounds with no major opposition in the field. In Rahuri, BJP's Akshay Kardile is similarly dominant, signalling a clean sweep for the Mahayuti ruling alliance.
Key Takeaways
Sunetra Pawar leads the Baramati Assembly bypoll by 36,377 votes after the fourth round on 4 May 2025 .
The seat fell vacant after Deputy CM Ajit Pawar died in an air crash; Sunetra is his widow.
Voter turnout stood at 58.27% , down from 71.86% in the 2024 Assembly elections .
BJP's Akshay Kardile leads Rahuri bypoll with 20,849 votes vs NCP (SP)'s Govind Mokate 's 2,726 votes .
NCP (SP)'s Prajakt Tanpure withdrew from Rahuri after reportedly receiving development commitments from CM Devendra Fadnavis .
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar has surged to a commanding lead of 36,377 votes after the fourth round of counting in the Baramati Assembly bypoll on 4 May 2025, as the high-stakes election — necessitated by the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an air crash — moves decisively in her favour. Simultaneously, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Akshay Kardile has established a significant lead in the Rahuri Assembly bypoll, with final results still awaited in both constituencies.
Sunetra Pawar's Commanding Performance in Baramati
Despite facing a field of 22 remaining candidates — after Congress nominee Akash More withdrew his nomination, bringing the original tally down from 23 — Sunetra Pawar has remained unchallenged since the first round of counting. No major opposition party fielded a candidate against her, leaving the contest largely between her and several Independent or smaller party representatives.
The bypoll recorded a voter turnout of 58.27%, notably lower than the 71.86% turnout seen during the 2024 Assembly elections. Of the total 3,84,579 registered voters, only 2,24,087 exercised their franchise during polling held on 23 April 2025.
Yugendra Pawar's Bold Prediction
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) youth leader Yugendra Pawar last week expressed strong confidence in Sunetra Pawar's performance, predicting a record-breaking margin.
Point of View
And the sympathy factor following Ajit Pawar's death was overwhelming. The more telling number is the turnout drop: from 71.86% in 2024 to 58.27%, suggesting that even in a high-profile seat, voter enthusiasm wanes without a genuine contest. In Rahuri, the quiet withdrawal of NCP (SP)'s Prajakt Tanpure after a phone call from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis raises questions about whether the opposition is being managed rather than defeated. Together, these bypolls are less a test of the Mahayuti coalition's popularity and more a reflection of a fractured, demoralised opposition in Maharashtra.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Baramati Assembly bypoll held?
The Baramati Assembly seat fell vacant following the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in an air crash. His wife, Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, contested the bypoll and has emerged as the clear frontrunner with a lead of 36,377 votes after four rounds.
What is Sunetra Pawar's lead in the Baramati bypoll?
Sunetra Pawar has secured a lead of 36,377 votes after the fourth round of counting on 4 May 2025. No major opposition party fielded a candidate against her.
Who is leading the Rahuri Assembly bypoll?
BJP's Akshay Kardile is leading the Rahuri bypoll with 20,849 votes after four rounds, against NCP (SP) nominee Govind Mokate's 2,726 votes. The seat fell vacant after the death of former BJP legislator Shivajirao Kardile.
Why did Prajakt Tanpure withdraw from the Rahuri bypoll?
Former NCP (SP) legislator Prajakt Tanpure reportedly withdrew from the Rahuri contest after telephonic talks with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is said to have promised development projects for the constituency. Tanpure continues to remain in NCP (SP).
What was the voter turnout in the Baramati bypoll?
The Baramati bypoll recorded a voter turnout of 58.27%, significantly lower than the 71.86% seen in the 2024 Assembly elections. Of 3,84,579 registered voters, 2,24,087 cast their ballots on 23 April 2025.
