Trust deficit, reclaiming bastions: Congress plans to step out of MVA shadow

Mumbai,UPDATED: Apr 7, 2026 00:00 IST

The Baramati assembly by-election has evolved into more than just a local contest; it is now the epicentre of a shifting political paradigm in Maharashtra.

By fielding Akash More, an MPCC Secretary and son of ex-MLC Vijay Rao More, against Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, the Congress party has signalled a bold departure from the traditional "unopposed" courtesy often extended in such sensitive seats.

More, who carries the legacy of his father and represents the influential Dhangar community, is not just a candidate; he is a symbol of Congress’s resolve to reclaim its ground in a state where it was once the undisputed leader.

This strategic move highlights a growing rift within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). While the Congress scored the highest in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, its subsequent "miserable" performance in the 2024 Assembly polls while tied to the MVA has triggered an internal rethink.

Congress, buoyed by gains in Vidarbha and Nandurbar, is asserting independence within the MVA. Frustration over seat-sharing, UBT Sena’s BMC moves, and allies’ perceived proximity to the BJP have deepened a trust deficit, prompting the party to recalibrate its strategy.

The drama in Baramati is mirrored in Rahuri, where the suspense ended with Govindrao Mokate filing his nomination as the MVA candidate from NCP (SP).

This follows a high-stakes meeting where BJP State President Ravindra Chavan and Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil attempted to convince former Minister of State Prajakt Tanpure from NCP (SP) to allow an unopposed election.

Even CM Devendra Fadnavis intervened via telephone, yet Tanpure, who recently lost in 2024 and was rumoured to be joining the BJP, remains non-committal, citing the need to consult his supporters.

The internal friction within the MVA was most evident in the calculated absence of Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal, who travelled to Kerala during the nomination process.

Sources suggest Sapkal avoided Baramati for three key reasons: out of courtesy to Sunetra Pawar after a personal phone call, to signal "generosity" toward allies who preferred an unopposed seat, and to avoid a show of strength that might trigger a sympathy wave for Ajit Pawar.

Reactions from allies remain cryptic. Sanjay Raut noted that Sunetra Pawar had spoken to Uddhav Thackeray, but emphasised that Congress’s decision was their own, stating, "There are many players in this; Baramati is the Pawar stronghold."

Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar took a democratic stance, asserting that Congress has every right to field a candidate and there is no reason to demand an "unopposed" contest, recalling how Supriya Sule defeated Sunetra in the previous Lok Sabha bout.

However, the tone from the Ajit Pawar camp was far more aggressive. Newly minted Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar issued a direct warning, stating Congress would "pay a heavy price" for challenging his mother. This was swiftly met with a sharp rebuttal from Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad, who reminded him that "politics doesn't happen through threats" and everyone has the right to contest.

As the deadline for withdrawal nears, Congress appears ready to test its solitary strength, even if it means bruising the MVA’s collective ego.

- Ends