Baramati bypoll: Here’s how Sunetra Pawar scripted history in NCP bastion

In a major display of political resilience and public affection, Sunetra Pawar has registered a resounding victory from by-election in Baramati Assembly constituency and etched her name in the annals of Maharashtra’s electoral history.

Overall, Sunetra Pawar bagged 2,18,969 votes and secured a record-breaking victory by a margin of over 2,18,000 votes – the highest in the country. She has surpassed previous records, including the one set in Uttar Pradesh’s Sahibabad in 2022.

Advertisement

This triumph comes after the tragic plane crash on January 28 that claimed the life of her husband Ajit Pawar, who earlier represented Baramati for eight consecutive terms since 1991.

बारामती विधानसभा पोटनिवडणुकीत मला भरघोस मतांनी विजयी केल्याबद्दल तमाम मायबाप बारामतीकरांचे मनःपूर्वक आभार.आपण दाखवलेला विश्वास, प्रेम आणि पाठिंबा माझ्यासाठी अत्यंत मोलाचा आहे.

आदरणीय अजितदादांच्या पश्चात झालेली बारामतीची ही पहिलीच निवडणूक होती.त्यांच्या मार्गदर्शनाची आणि… pic.twitter.com/XRv49EWMy3

— Sunetra Ajit Pawar (@SunetraA_Pawar) May 4, 2026

Sunetra Pawar’s entry into the electoral arena for the first time has transformed personal grief into a powerful campaign of continuity development and unwavering service.

Grassroots connect

Her victory in bypoll was not merely a sympathy wave, but the result of meticulous hard work as well as deep emotional bonding with the people of Baramati – a long time bastion of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

During the poll campaigning, she adopted a hands-on approach traversing villages meeting farmers, women’s self-help groups and youth.

Interestingly, the entire campaign was overseen by her son Parth Pawar, ensuring smooth coordination and execution on the ground. The campaign looked forward to continue Ajit Pawar’s legacy of infrastructure development irrigation projects and agricultural support that had transformed Baramati into a prosperous constituency.

During the by-election, Sunetra Pawar listened attentively to individual concerns – be it water scarcity, education facilities or market access for produce. Her humble demeanour and readiness to address issues at the grassroots level created an instant connection with all in Baramati, with many looking up to her not just as Ajit Pawar’s wife, but as a leader who embodied the same dedication and accessibility.

Her campaign received strong backing from Sharad Pawar, whose guidance proved invaluable. She repeatedly credited this support for strengthening her resolve.

In her victory speech, Sunetra Pawar said, “Baramati is my family. The love and votes I have received are a true tribute to Ajit Dada. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.”

Further, she appealed to supporters to refrain from victory processions and asked them to maintain dignity, besides focusing on development reflecting her mature and people-centric leadership style.

One-sided contest

In the Baramati by-election, the numbers tell a compelling story.

With around 2,23,000 votes polled (58% turnout), Sunetra Pawar dominated the contest against 22 other candidates, with none among them able to cross even a few hundred votes.

This certainly left behind Ajit Pawar’s own impressive 2019 margin of more than 1.65 lakh votes.

In the 2024 Assembly elections, Ajit Pawar defeated his nephew Yugendra Pawar by around one lakh votes. With her win, Sunetra Pawar has now turned Baramati into a fortress of loyalty.

A new chapter of service

The journey of Sunetra Pawar from a supportive family member to an elected representative marks a significant milestone for women in Maharashtra politics. This victory in Baramati by-election symbolises the enduring Pawar family influence in Baramati and heralds a fresh chapter rooted in empathy and action.

As she takes office, Sunetra Pawar has pledged to carry forward the development agenda, address local aspirations and uphold the trust reposed in her.

For the people of Baramati, her victory is an affirmation of their bond with a leader, who proved that hard work, humility and legacy can script history together.