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The Maharashtra Congress on Monday said it will consider withdrawing from the Baramati Assembly bypoll if a First Information Report (FIR) is registered in the plane crash that killed former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

State Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe, in a statement, rejected claims that the April 23 by-election should be held unopposed and accused the BJP of adopting a “convenient” political stance, PTI reported.

Congress fields Akash More against Sunetra Pawar in Baramati bypoll

The Congress on Sunday fielded its state unit secretary, Akash More, against Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar for the Baramati bypoll, which was necessitated by the death of sitting Nationalist Congress Party MLA and then Deputy CM Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in the constituency on January 28.

Ajit Pawar had represented the seat in Pune district eight times, with several of his victories coming by record margins.

While the Opposition, including NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), has extended support for the bypoll to be held unopposed, the Congress has maintained that it will contest it.

Londhe said the party and its candidate would consider withdrawing from the fray if an FIR is registered in Baramati regarding the plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar.

Family seeks investigation; CBI inquiry demand highlighted

The Congress leader raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding Ajit Pawar’s death, noting that the family has demanded a probe into the matter and that Sunetra Pawar had sought an inquiry by the CBI.

He also pointed out that NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar had made repeated efforts to get an FIR registered in Maharashtra, but succeeded only in Karnataka.

Londhe further argued that there is no consistent precedent of bypolls being held unopposed following the demise of sitting legislators. He cited bypolls in Nanded after the death of Vasantrao Chavan and in Mangalwedha, Solapur, following the demise of Bharat Bhalke.

The Congress leader accused the BJP of double standards, claiming the ruling party has acted according to political convenience on such issues.

Rohit Pawar urges unopposed Baramati bypoll as Sunetra Pawar files nomination

As Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister (CM) Sunetra Pawar prepares to file her nomination for the Baramati bypoll, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar on Monday urged other aspirants to refrain from filing nominations and appealed for the election to be held unopposed.

The April 23 bypoll for the Baramati Assembly seat was necessitated following the death of then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28.

According to party sources, Sunetra Pawar will file her nomination at around 12:30 pm in Baramati in the presence of senior NCP leaders Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, Hasan Mushrif, Dattatray Bharne, and BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, PTI reported. 

(With PTI inputs)