Mumbai, April 6 (NationPress) The Congress party's decision to nominate Akash Vishwanath More against NCP candidate and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar in the upcoming Baramati Assembly bypoll on April 23 arises from a blend of ideological motives and a sensed lack of dialogue within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition.

A significant faction within Congress views this contest as largely symbolic; however, they argue that the party must uphold its opposition to the NCP-BJP alliance. They assert that abstaining from the electoral race would indicate a "softening" stance towards the ruling Mahayuti government, particularly as the NCP(SP) and Shiv Sena(UBT) opted not to participate.

This seat was vacated following the tragic passing of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in January 2026. While various parties proposed an "uncontested" election in tribute to the late leader, Congress has diverged from its allies to present Akash More, signaling its broader strategy for revitalization ahead of the 2029 Assembly elections in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal emphasized that the "alliance dharma" mandates mutual discussions. He accused the Congress of being "excluded" from the dialogues concerning the seat, pointing out that neither Uddhav Thackeray nor Sharad Pawar had consulted them about leaving the seat uncontested.

The Congress leadership believes that if the NCP(SP) is not putting forth a candidate, it is their duty to voice the opposition instead of allowing the ruling alliance to claim the seat without contest.

While Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other Mahayuti leaders advocated for an unopposed victory for Sunetra Pawar, Congress leaders, particularly state unit chief Sapkal, argued that in a democracy, voters deserve options—especially in light of the fracture within the original NCP. Additionally, Sapkal interpreted the Mahayuti's insistence on an "unopposed" victory as an effort to "swallow democracy" and sidestep a public mandate, particularly after their recent success in local body elections.

The Congress party's maneuver has exposed a notable divide within the MVA, as it is effectively running against a candidate who has the "silent support" of its own alliance partners, Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray. The NCP and the Mahayuti coalition view Congress's decision to contest the Baramati bypoll with a mix of disappointment and strategic agility. They aim to uphold Maharashtra's "political culture" of uncontested elections after a tragic loss, while framing Congress's move as a sign of desperation and internal discord within the opposition.

Interestingly, Mahayuti leaders are leveraging the Congress's decision to illustrate the vulnerability of the MVA alliance, portraying Congress as an "outsider" or a disruptive element that disregards local sentiments and the feelings of its partners. Despite Congress's actions, the NCP and Mahayuti remain confident.

Insiders from the NCP assert that Sunetra Pawar is poised to win effortlessly, regardless of competition. They cite the decades of dedication Ajit Pawar exhibited in the constituency as assurance of voter loyalty. "Ajit Pawar's legacy is the cornerstone of the Baramati bypoll. For over thirty years, he was not merely a representative but the "Executive Architect" of Baramati, and his sudden loss in January 2026 has left a significant void that the NCP intends to fill with Sunetra Pawar," stated Umesh Patil, NCP in charge of the Baramati by-election.

Political analysts contend that this bypoll is less about party affiliation and more a referendum on the "Baramati Model" that Ajit Pawar dedicated his life to constructing. However, the Congress party believes that a segment of voters may desire a departure from "dynastic" or "legacy" politics, yet they are contending with 35 years of deeply rooted loyalty.

(Sanjay Jog can be reached at sanjay.j@ians.in)