Congress Party Enters Maharashtra By-Elections in Baramati and Rahuri

Mumbai: The Congress party has decided to contest the upcoming by-elections in the Baramati and Rahuri Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra, a move that is set to intensify the political contest in both segments. The party’s high command has given its approval, and the process of selecting suitable candidates has reached its final stage. According to State President Harshwardhan Sapkal, interviews of aspirants have already been conducted, with a significant number of applications received from interested candidates. In Baramati, six aspirants have sought the party ticket, while four candidates have applied for Rahuri. Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal confirmed that the screening process has been completed and that the party will soon announce its final candidates after holding consultations with alliance partners. Local-level political dynamics and caste equations have been carefully assessed during the selection process, with the leadership aiming to field strong and winnable candidates. Party insiders indicated that the final decision would reflect both grassroots feedback and broader alliance considerations under the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The bypolls were necessitated following the demise of senior leaders Ajit Pawar and Shivajirao Kardile, which led to vacancies in the Baramati and Rahuri constituencies, respectively. The Election Commission of India has announced a detailed election schedule for both seats. Also Watch: As per the schedule, the notification for the by-elections was issued on March 30, 2026. The last date for filing nominations is April 6, followed by scrutiny on April 7. Candidates will have until April 9 to withdraw their nominations. Polling will be held on April 23, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. The entire election process is expected to be completed by May 6. Earlier, there was speculation that these by-elections might be held unopposed. However, the Congress party’s decision to enter the fray has changed the political landscape, ensuring a direct contest in both constituencies. This development is expected to make the elections more competitive and closely watched.