Daijiworld Media Network - Baramati

Baramati, May 4: Early trends from the vote counting in the Baramati Assembly bypoll show a decisive lead for Nationalist Congress Party (Nationalist Congress Party) candidate and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar.

According to the Election Commission of India’s (Election Commission of India) figures at around 9:40 a.m., a total of 27,264 votes have been counted so far. Sunetra Pawar has secured 26,773 votes, maintaining a lead of over 8,800 votes, while other candidates together have received 491 votes.

In parallel counting for another Maharashtra constituency, Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Akshay Shivajirao Kardile is leading in the Rahuri Assembly seat with 11,071 votes after the second round of counting.

The bypolls were conducted on April 9 and April 23 across multiple states, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura, following vacancies created due to the deaths of sitting legislators.

The Baramati seat in Pune district has drawn significant attention as it is considered a stronghold of the influential Pawar family. The constituency became vacant after the death of sitting MLA Ajit Pawar in a plane crash on January 28, leading to Sunetra Pawar entering the fray as the NCP candidate.

The constituency has around 3.84 lakh registered voters, with 23 candidates contesting the seat. However, with major opposition parties reportedly withdrawing or not mounting strong campaigns, early trends suggest a comfortable position for Sunetra Pawar.

Officials said counting is still underway and final results will emerge after all rounds are completed.

Meanwhile, vote counting is also in progress for Assembly elections in states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, with final outcomes expected later in the day.