Dhanajay Munde’s wife Karuna firm on contesting against Sunetra Pawar

The Congress on Thursday withdrew its candidate against Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar following hectic appeals by top NCP leaders and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to allow an unopposed by-election in the Baramati assembly constituency.

However, Karuna Munde, wife of former Maharashtra Food & Civil Supplies Minister Dhananjay Munde of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, who resigned in 2024 following allegations of involvement in the murder of Massajog village sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, on Thursday announced her decision to contest against Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar.

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Announcing her stand, Karuna Munde, a leader of the Swarajya Shakti Sena, said, “NCP leaders had asked me to withdraw from the Baramati by-election. However, I have decided to retain my nomination. I have learnt that the Congress withdrew after Dhananjay Munde held talks with Congress leader Harshwardhan Sapkal. But I will not withdraw my nomination, and I intend to contest.”

“We want justice for Ajit Pawar, but Sunetra Pawar and her sons are not even speaking about the air crash. Big rulers cannot give justice. They have no right to be in power,” Karuna Munde said.

“My Swarajya Shakti Sena is a national party. Let our workers vote for us. I will continue to take this issue to Baramati. There is an atmosphere where no one will get justice. I will fight against such wrongdoing. Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje is my idol in politics. We will continue to carry forward his ideals,” Karuna Munde said.

Talking about her estranged husband Dhananjay Munde, she said, “Dhananjay Munde said I am not worthy. I think the Congress withdrew after he intervened. You can buy the Congress, but not me.”

“Even if I lose, it will still be a victory. I will fight,” she added.