Supriya Sule attends Sunetra Pawar’s rally in Baramati, extends MVA support

Mumbai: In a reflection of Maharashtra’s accommodative and healthy political culture, Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Tuesday formally extended its support to Deputy Chief Minister and NCP national president Sunetra Pawar, with NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule attended a mega rally in Baramati that was also addressed by top leaders of the ruling BJP-led Maha Yuti.

The byelection was necessitated by the untimely demise of Maharashtra’s then deputy chief minister and NCP national president Ajit Pawar (66), popularly known as Ajit Dada.

He died on January 28 after the Learjet business jet he was travelling in crashed while landing at the Baramati airfield.

At the rally, Sunetra Pawar (62), popularly known as Sunetra Vahini or Sunetra Tai, promised to fulfil Ajit Pawar’s vision of making Baramati the numero uno taluka in India.

Among others, the rally was addressed by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and state industries minister Uday Samant, a close aide of deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.

Meanwhile, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar, who is hospitalised at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, appealed to the people of Baramati to support Sunetra Pawar.

In an emotional post on X, Sharad Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP, said, “From the first election I contested in 1967, I have unwaveringly exercised my right to vote in the Baramati constituency. Now, in 2026, this by-election is taking place against the sorrowful backdrop of the tragic and untimely demise of Maharashtra’s beloved leader, the late Ajit Pawar. I had planned to come to Baramati and vote, in keeping with my long-standing tradition. However, due to deteriorating health, I have been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai. Doctors have advised against travel owing to ongoing treatment and mandatory rest.”

“I appeal to all voters in Baramati to pay their respects to Ajit Pawar by voting for Sunetra Pawar. The people of Baramati have placed their long-standing trust in me, and I am confident they will respond to this appeal,” added Pawar.

Sule, who is the Baramati MP, said that MVA leaders, party workers and voters would stand firmly behind Sunetra Pawar.

“On behalf of the MVA — Congress, NCP (SP) and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) — I bow before the people of Baramati and assure that Sunetra Vahini will win the election. We had hoped for an uncontested election, and accordingly, parties had decided not to field candidates. However, some nominations were filed, and the election is now taking place. I am confident voter turnout will be record-breaking,” she said.

An emotional Sunetra Pawar said, “I have lost everything… many still believe Dada will return, but we must accept the bitter truth that he is gone. He worked tirelessly for the people of Baramati and Maharashtra, often 16 to 17 hours a day. Now, that responsibility rests with me. Baramati is my family, and my strength.”

She reiterated that the NCP would continue to uphold the ideology of ‘Shiv–Shahu–Phule–Ambedkar’.

Her sons, Parth, a Rajya Sabha MP, and Jay, were present at the rally.

Senior leaders including NCP national working president Praful Patel, state unit president and Raigad MP Sunil Tatkare, and ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Hasan Mushrif also attended the rally.

Fadnavis praised Sunetra Pawar’s work, saying, “I have been in politics for 35 years. Over the past few months, I have seen Sunetra Vahini at work, and she will certainly carry forward Ajit Dada’s vision.”