As Cong gears up to contest bypolls, NCP (SP) hold talks to finalise candidate for Rahuri seat; Jay Pawar in action mode in Baramati

Pune: Congress's decision to contest both the Baramati and Rahuri bypolls has prompted senior members of Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) to huddle for internal discussions to finalise a candidate for the Rahuri seat. In Baramati, Jay Pawar, the younger son of late Ajit Pawar, has stepped up to steer the campaign for his mother, Sunetra Pawar.Sunetra will file her nomination for the Baramati bypoll on Monday, the final day for submitting nominations. As the deadline nears, CM Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday appealed to Congress and other parties to allow Sunetra to be elected unopposed. "If Sunetra vahini wins the election unopposed, it will be in keeping with Maharashtra's political tradition. In the past, several elections in the state have been uncontested. After the death of RR Patil, BJP did not field a candidate in the bypoll. Similarly, in Baramati, I appeal to all parties to show a large-hearted approach and not field a candidate," Fadnavis said.Despite the CM's appeal, Congress maintained its decision. State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday said, "The party has completed the process of interviewing aspirants and will likely announce the candidates for both Baramati and Rahuri on Sunday."Jay, recently inducted into the NCP's apex committee, reviewed the party's preparedness for the bypoll in the event of a contest. Speaking in Baramati, he said he had never imagined an election in the constituency without his father Ajit Pawar. "We have to face the bypoll in extremely unfortunate circumstances. I thank every person in Baramati for supporting us," he said.Responding to Congress's decision to contest Baramati, Jay said party seniors would hold talks with the Congress leadership, but said even if Congress chooses to proceed, NCP would not object.As Congress moves forward with its preparations for the bypolls, senior NCP (SP) members have intensified deliberations over the Rahuri seat. The party has already announced that it will not contest Baramati.Party's former state chief minister Jayant Patil visited Sharad Pawar at his Mumbai residence on Saturday to discuss the issue. According to party sources, former MLA Prajakt Tanpure, who won the Rahuri seat in 2019, is the frontrunner for the party's nomination. Another round of discussions is scheduled in Mumbai on Sunday.Pawars should remain united as family, Says Jay PawarJay Pawar on Saturday said the Pawar family should remain united. "I am too junior to comment on the merger issue. Senior members of the party will take that call. I, however, strongly feel that the Pawar family should remain united. After Ajit dada's demise, the entire family stood together, and we continue to remain united even today," Jay said, while speaking to reporters in Baramati.On the investigation into Ajit Pawar's death in a plane crash, Jay demanded the arrest of the owners of VSR Ventures, which operated the aircraft. "If a building collapses, the owner is arrested. If a restaurant catches fire, its owner is held responsible. Then why has no action been taken against the owner of the company that operated the aircraft?" he asked.He said while he had planned to address a press conference on the issue, several points he intended to raise were already highlighted by Rohit Pawar. "I have decided to wait until the final report on the plane crash is submitted," Jay added.