Pune, April 10 Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said on Friday that the party's decision to withdraw its candidate from the Baramati by-election was in deference to the sentiments following the death of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, whose wife Sunetra is contesting from the seat.
Sapkal, who was in Baramati in Pune district, however, asserted that the Congress will contest the assembly seat in the 2029 elections and win it.
After initially appearing firm to contest the April 23 by-election, necessitated due to the death of former Deputy Chief Minister and sitting Baramati MLA Ajit Pawar, the Congress on Thursday opted out of the contest at the last moment, effectively handing a victory to ruling NCP candidate and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar in her maiden assembly election.
The Congress withdrew its candidate, Akash More, from the high-profile seat in the wake of calls from the NCP, BJP, and its Opposition partner NCP (SP).
Speaking to reporters, Sapkal said that the Congress withdrew its nomination after discussions with the party's national president, Mallikarjun Kharge, and in response to a request from the NCP.
The decision was taken under "positive circumstances", he said.
"Following the developments at the national and state levels, the party is strengthening its base everywhere, and we are committed to doing so in Baramati as well in the coming years," he said.
He said the party decided not to contest the by-poll "on the backdrop of sympathy and emotional appeal" after Ajit Pawar's tragic death in a plane crash on January 28.
"However, the Congress will definitely contest the Baramati assembly seat in 2029, and I am confident that the party candidate will win the seat," Sapkal asserted.
The state Congress chief, who had a meeting with NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, said he appreciated the latter's efforts in pursuing follow-up action in connection with the plane crash that claimed Ajit Pawar's life.
Sapkal said that he conveyed to Rohit Pawar that it was the Congress's stand that an FIR should be registered in the plane crash case.
He alleged that, as the Maharashtra government was unwilling to register an FIR, the Congress-led Karnataka government registered a zero FIR in the matter.
"After I met with Rohit Pawar, I spoke to the Karnataka home minister and apprised him of the situation. He has assured that he will meet the NCP (SP) leader in this regard," Sapkal said.