Pune, May 4 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP president, Sunetra Pawar, on Monday won the bypoll from the Baramati assembly seat with a margin of 2,18,034 votes, according to the figures shared by the Election Commission.
She secured 2,18,969 votes in the byelection necessitated by the death of her husband and then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
The NCP claimed that Sunetra Pawar has set a new national record of the highest victory margin in the assembly elections, surpassing the previous record attributed to BJP’s Sunil Kumar Sharma, who had won the Sahibabad segment by 2.14 lakh votes in 2022.
The other 22 candidates in the fray in Baramati together secured 4,837 votes.
Kiran Gujar, a close aide of the Pawar family, claimed Sunetra Pawar secured 98 per cent of the total votes polled.
The byelection was held on April 23 after the death of Baramati MLA Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28.
Riding the sympathy wave, Sunetra Pawar’s victory margin has surpassed that of her late husband, who defeated BJP’s Gopichand Padalkar by 1,65,265 votes in 2019. In the 2024 elections, Ajit Pawar’s victory margin was reduced to over 1 lakh votes.
A voter turnout of 58.27 per cent was recorded in the Baramati Assembly constituency on April 23.
In a post on X, Sunetra Pawar thanked the people of Baramati for the overwhelming mandate.
“I sincerely thank the people of Baramati for electing me with an overwhelming mandate in the Baramati Assembly by-election. The trust, love, and support you have shown are of great importance to me,” she stated.
She added that Ajit Pawar’s guidance and presence are deeply missed at this moment.
“For me, this victory is not merely a political success but a true tribute to his work and his memory. His contribution to Maharashtra and Baramati, his strong connection with the people, and his vision for development continue to live in everyone’s hearts.
“His values and teachings give me the strength to move forward. I am fully aware that this victory brings with it the responsibility of carrying forward his dreams and legacy,” she added.
Sunetra Pawar also thanked all NCP workers, office-bearers, and Mahayuti constituents- BJP and Shiv Sena- as well as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
“I remain committed to upholding the ideological legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, and to walking on the path shown by respected Yashwantrao Chavan and Ajitdada. Let us work together for the development of Baramati, keeping youth, farmers, women, entrepreneurs, and every section of society at the centre,” she added.
The NCP president has appealed to people not to take out victory processions, urging them to celebrate the win through work rather than festivities.
“I assure you that I will never fall short of the trust you have placed in me and will always stand firmly with you in your joys and sorrows,” she added.
NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar congratulated Sunetra Pawar on her spectacular win.
“The victory is a real tribute and an expression of love for Ajitdada,” he said. PTI SPK NSK
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