Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Amid ongoing political discussions over the Baramati Assembly by-election in Maharashtra, Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar clarified his position on reports of outreach from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and the possibility of Congress withdrawing its candidate.
Speaking in Nagpur, Wadettiwar stated that he has not personally received any communication from leaders of the opposing alliance. “No, I have not received any phone call from the people of the other party. I do not know. I have not received any phone call,” he said, indicating that he is not directly involved in any such discussions.
He emphasized that without direct communication, it would be inappropriate for him to comment further on the matter. “If I have not received a phone call, then I do not think it is appropriate to talk,” he added.
However, he acknowledged that some level of communication may have taken place with other leaders within the Congress party. “The question is that the person who spoke to the President of our state received a call from Sunetra ji. Calls were also received from some other people,” Wadettiwar noted, suggesting that outreach efforts may be happening at different levels.
Addressing speculation about whether the Congress might withdraw its nomination from the Baramati bypoll, Wadettiwar clarified that the decision rests with the party’s state leadership. “The role of the Congress is being handled by our state president in consultation with the people there, and he also discussed this matter with us and sought the opinion of our leaders,” he said.
His remarks indicate that consultations are ongoing within the party, and any final decision will be taken collectively by the leadership after considering inputs from local stakeholders and senior leaders.
The Baramati by-election has become a politically significant contest in Maharashtra, drawing attention due to appeals from BJP leaders and allies urging Congress to step aside and allow an uncontested victory for Sunetra Pawar. However, the Congress has not made any official announcement regarding withdrawal.
Political observers note that such internal consultations are typical in high-stakes by-elections, where strategic decisions can have broader implications for alliances and future electoral positioning.
Wadettiwar’s statements highlight the evolving nature of political negotiations in Maharashtra, with the Congress maintaining that any decision on Baramati will be taken through internal discussions and leadership consensus.
