Pune: Congress Withdraws Candidate from Baramati By-Election Amid NCP Pressure
Pune: Maharashtra Congress President Harshavardhan Sapkal addressed the media on Friday, explaining the party’s decision to withdraw its candidate from the Baramati Assembly by-election. He emphasized that the move was a result of repeated requests from NCP leaders and not due to any pressure from the BJP.
Speaking during his visit to Pune, Sapkal clarified that the decision does not imply support for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He stated that the Congress continues to oppose the NCP for its alliance with the BJP. Sapkal added that the initial decision to contest the Baramati seat had caused a shake-up within the Mahayuti alliance.
NCP leaders approached the Congress multiple times, urging them to withdraw their candidate. Sapkal firmly rejected claims that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had influenced the decision. “There was no phone call from Fadnavis. The request came from NCP leaders,” he said.
Sapkal also mentioned that Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar had reached out to the Congress leadership. She met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi to discuss the issue. Kharge made it clear that the final decision would be taken by the state leadership. After further discussions between state leaders of both parties, the Congress decided to withdraw its candidate.
The decision, according to Sapkal, was taken out of “sympathy” following internal discussions within the party. However, he stressed that the Congress has not changed its political stance and continues to protest against the NCP’s alliance with the BJP. This move highlights the complex political dynamics in Maharashtra, where coalition politics often plays a crucial role in shaping election outcomes.
The withdrawal of the Congress candidate from the Baramati by-election is a significant development, as it could potentially impact the balance of power in the region. The NCP and BJP alliance is expected to benefit from this move, while the Congress remains committed to its opposition stance. The by-election is being closely watched by political analysts and voters alike, as it could provide insights into the future political landscape of Maharashtra.
