New Delhi/Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar registered a historic victory in the Baramati bypoll, winning by a margin of 2,18,034 votes. In her first remarks after the result, she urged supporters to avoid loud celebrations, calling the mandate a tribute to her late husband Ajit Pawar.
“Celebrate with Restraint, This Is a Tribute”
Sunetra Pawar said the victory should not be marked by grand or noisy celebrations. Instead, she framed it as a moment of remembrance, dedicated to Ajit Pawar’s legacy in Baramati. She thanked voters for their overwhelming support, noting that the mandate reflected both trust and emotion.
बारामती विधानसभा पोटनिवडणुकीत मला भरघोस मतांनी विजयी केल्याबद्दल तमाम मायबाप बारामतीकरांचे मनःपूर्वक आभार.आपण दाखवलेला विश्वास, प्रेम आणि पाठिंबा माझ्यासाठी अत्यंत मोलाचा आहे.
आदरणीय अजितदादांच्या पश्चात झालेली बारामतीची ही पहिलीच निवडणूक होती.त्यांच्या मार्गदर्शनाची आणि… pic.twitter.com/XRv49EWMy3
— Sunetra Ajit Pawar (@SunetraA_Pawar) May 4, 2026
Translated, her social media post on X reads as follows:
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Baramati for electing me with an overwhelming mandate in the Baramati Assembly by-election. The trust, love, and support you have shown mean a great deal to me.
This was the first election in Baramati after the passing of respected Ajit Dada. Today, his guidance and presence are deeply missed. For me, this victory is not just a political success, but a true tribute to his work and his memory. The contribution Ajit Dada made to Maharashtra and Baramati, his deep connection with the people, and his vision for development continue to live in the hearts of everyone. His thoughts and values give me the strength to move forward. I am fully aware that this victory brings with it the responsibility of carrying forward his dreams and his work.
I sincerely thank all senior leaders, office-bearers, and workers of the Nationalist Congress Party.
This victory has been possible only because of your tireless efforts. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to all constituents of the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi, all supporting parties, as well as various institutions and organisations that stood by me in this election.
I remain committed to carrying forward the ideological legacy of great leaders like Shivaji, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, and to walking on the path shown by respected Yashwantrao Chavan and Ajit Dada. With a focus on youth, farmers, women, entrepreneurs, and all sections of society, let us work together for the development of Baramati.
Elections come and go, but the harmony and bond of Baramati must always remain intact. Therefore, let us not indulge in celebrations, but instead mark this victory through our work. I assure you that I will never let down the trust you have placed in me. I will always stand firmly with you in your joys and sorrows.
With the blessings of all of you, I remain fully committed to the development of Baramati.”
Sunetra Pawar is fondly addressed by the electorate as ‘Sunetra Vahini’ – meaning Sunetra Bhabhi (revered sister-in-law) as people consider her late husband Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar as Dada (elder brother).
What She Is Now And What Changes
With this win, Sunetra Pawar is now an elected Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Baramati.
This matters because:
- She was already serving as Deputy Chief Minister, but did not have a direct electoral mandate from the Assembly seat.
- Now, she has formal legislative legitimacy, strengthening her constitutional and political position.
- It consolidates her transition from a political entrant to a mass leader with an independent mandate, not just a nominee or appointee.
- Within the party and government, her authority and bargaining power are expected to increase significantly.
She Won Backing Across Camps
Sunetra Pawar acknowledged support from both the Mahayuti alliance and leaders from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), indicating broad political backing in the constituency.
Senior leaders (who are also her marital family elders) Sharad Pawar and Supriya Sule campaigned for her. Notably, octogenarian Sharad Pawar blessed her from his hospital bed on the eve of the election, adding an emotional layer to the campaign.
Supriya Sule’s Message On the Win
अजितदादांच्या अपघाती निधनानंतर झालेल्या बारामती विधानसभा पोटनिवडणूकीत विक्रमी मतांनी विजयी झाल्याबद्दल सुनेत्रावहिनी पवार (@SunetraA_Pawar) यांचे हार्दिक अभिनंदन व पुढील वाटचालीसाठी खुप खुप शुभेच्छा.
या निवडणुकीला दादांच्या आठवणींची किनार होती. बारामतीच्या जनतेने वहिनींना… pic.twitter.com/ZtB0CeuC6l
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) May 4, 2026
Congratulating her in a post in Marathi, Supriya Sule said: “Heartfelt congratulations to Sunetra (Vahini) Pawar on her record victory in the Baramati by-election held after Ajit Dada’s untimely demise. Wishing her great success ahead.”
“This election carried the emotional weight of Ajit Dada’s memories. The people of Baramati have expressed their love for him by sending her to the Vidhan Sabha (state Assembly). This affection is invaluable to all of us.
We sincerely thank the people of Baramati for giving her the opportunity to serve them in the legislature,” Sule wrote.
A Mandate That Stands Out
The scale of the win was extraordinary. While Sunetra Pawar secured a margin of over 2.18 lakh votes, her nearest rival managed just 935 votes, with most other candidates failing to cross even 500 votes.
The result is being seen as both an emotional endorsement and a powerful political signal, reinforcing Baramati as a stronghold of the Pawar family.
