Daijiworld Media Network - Baramati

Baramati, Apr 23: Maharashtra deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar cast her vote on Thursday in the Baramati Assembly by-election, marking a significant moment in a contest shaped by personal loss and political legacy.

She voted at a polling booth set up at Gangubai Kante Zilla Parishad Primary School in Baramati, where voting progressed amid steady participation.
The by-election was triggered following the death of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a plane crash near Baramati airport earlier this year. After his passing, Sunetra Pawar assumed the role of Deputy Chief Minister and is now among 24 candidates contesting the seat. Notably, the NCP (SP) and Congress opted out of the race.

Speaking to reporters after casting her vote, she said voters in Baramati are aware of the contributions made by her late husband over the years and expressed confidence that they would honour his work through their participation in the election. She described the day as crucial for the constituency.

Before heading to the polling station, Sunetra Pawar visited her husband’s memorial to pay tribute. Their son, Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar, also paid his respects.

Earlier this week, during a public gathering, Sunetra Pawar became emotional while addressing supporters, pledging to carry forward her husband’s vision for Baramati. She described her decision to contest as taking on a formidable responsibility and said she had set aside her personal grief to focus on public service.

She framed her candidature as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Pawar family and the people of Baramati. Acknowledging the support she has received, she credited both family elders and her late husband for shaping the region’s development.

Positioning herself as a public servant rather than a traditional politician, she highlighted the foundational role played by Sharad Pawar in Baramati’s growth, adding that Ajit Pawar had built upon that vision.

Reflecting on the emotional weight of campaigning without her husband, she said her connection with Baramati goes beyond politics. She described the constituency as her strength and its people as her extended family.

Reiterating her husband’s approach to public life, she concluded by reminding supporters that every election, regardless of scale, deserves full commitment and seriousness.