Maharashtra opposition rift out in open as Congress challenges Sunetra Pawar in Baramati; NCP (SP) had pushed for unopposed bypoll

MUMBAI: Deputy CM and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar is set to file her nomination on Monday for the Baramati assembly byelection, the seat which was left vacant after her husband Ajit Pawar died in an aircrash in Jan.While NCP had been pushing for an unopposed election, Congress declared Akash More, son of former Congress MLC Vijayrao More, as its candidate for the seat on Sunday evening. This has revealed the divide within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance.Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) had already declared it would not field a candidate against Sunetra. NCP state president Sunil Tatkare said Sena UBT had agreed to support her, though party MP Sanjay Raut said its decision was yet to be declared.Meanwhile, despite signs of a rift between Ajit Pawar's family and senior NCP leaders Praful Patel and Tatkare, they are both expected to be present when Sunetra files her papers. "We have asked all our ministers and MLAs to be present," said Tatkare.Earlier in the day, Tatkare said he would request Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge to not field a candidate. However, Congress was firm from the start that it would field a candidate in the bypoll. Tatkare said Sunetra had spoken to Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray on phone and the party would not be fielding a candidate against her. However, Raut said, "A decision on this has yet to be officially declared."