Senior Congress leader Vijay Vadettiwar told media persons here on Wednesday that the Congress will put up a candidate against Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, who plans to contest the bypoll from the Baramati assembly constituency, even if the Sharad Pawar-led NCP does not field a candidate against her.
Vadettiwar was reacting to a recent statement made by Sharad Pawar-led NCP Working President and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule that her party would not field a candidate against Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, in a bid to enable her to win unopposed.
“We do not accept Supriya Sule’s statement. If the NCP does not field a candidate in the Baramati by-election, the Congress will do so,” Vadettiwar said.
Voting in two assembly constituencies of Baramati and Rahuri in Maharashtra will be held on April 23 and the results will be announced on May 4.
“We do not accept this position of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP. Pawar versus Pawar elections have been held before. This seat is with the NCP. When the merger of the NCP was the issue, there was no discussion with the Congress. Now elections are being held. Supriya Sule said, how will her party field a candidate against her sister-in-law. Such a stand is not acceptable in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). If NCP does not contest, then Congress will have to consider fielding a candidate there,” Vijay Wadettiwar said.
Meanwhile, the possibility of a three-centred electoral battle seems to be emerging since OBC activist Laxman Hake has said that he will contest the Baramati assembly bypolls under any circumstances.
“We have decided to contest the Baramati elections. Send Sunetra Pawar to the Legislative Council unopposed,” OBC activist Laxman Hake said.