Sunetra Ajit Pawar Registers Historic Landslide Victory in Baramati Bypoll

Baramati/Mumbai, May 2026 : In a resounding political triumph, Sunetra Ajit Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party secured a record-breaking victory in the Baramati Assembly by-election, the results of which were declared on Monday. The scale of her win has not only rewritten local electoral history but also set a new national benchmark for victory margins in legislative elections.

According to official data at the conclusion of the 24th round of counting, Sunetra Pawar won by an unprecedented margin of 2,18,930 votes. This surpasses the previous national record held by Sunil Kumar Sharma, who had recorded a margin of 2,14,835 votes in the Sahibabad constituency in 2022. The Baramati result is now being widely described as the largest winning margin ever achieved by a legislative candidate in India.

The by-election witnessed a remarkable consolidation of support in favour of Sunetra Pawar. Backed by strong grassroots mobilisation and appeals from her sons, Jay Pawar and Parth Pawar, as well as endorsements from multiple political groups and organisations, the campaign translated into an overwhelming mandate. In a striking indication of the one-sided nature of the contest, none of the 22 opposing candidates managed to cross even the 1,000-vote mark.

Among the other candidates, Karuna Munde received 125 votes, while Abhijit Bichukale secured 121 votes. The outcome underscores the extent of voter support that coalesced around Sunetra Pawar in this election.

Reacting to the results, Parth Pawar expressed gratitude to the electorate while acknowledging the emotional context surrounding the bypoll. He noted that the family had not anticipated facing such an election under difficult circumstances and remarked that the moment was not one of celebration but reflection. He also stated his commitment to public service, adding that he plans to resume public grievance meetings once the Model Code of Conduct is lifted.

Speaking in Mumbai, Sunetra Pawar dedicated her emphatic victory to the memory of her late husband, Ajit Pawar. Calling the mandate a tribute to his legacy, she urged supporters to maintain restraint and avoid grand celebrations. She specifically appealed to party workers not to organise processions or indulge in festivities such as throwing coloured powder, emphasising the need to honour his ideals with dignity.

“The trust shown by the people of Baramati is deeply emotional for us,” she said, adding that the victory reflects not just political support but also a continuation of her husband’s vision for the constituency.

Sunetra Pawar concluded her remarks by promising to work towards building a “New Baramati,” aligned with the aspirations and dreams associated with Ajit Pawar’s leadership. She described the result not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a renewed journey marked by determination, development, and commitment to the people.

The historic mandate is expected to have far-reaching implications for Maharashtra politics, reinforcing the influence of the Pawar family in the region while setting a new electoral milestone in the country.