Sunetra Pawar faces fierce competition in Baramati while Akshay Kardile contests Rahuri—384k voters in the Pune district and 333k in Ahmednagar decide crucial assembly seats today.
Long queues of voters outside a polling station in Baramati, Maharashtra. [Images for representation purposes only]
Voting is underway across Maharashtra’s politically charged Baramati and Rahuri assembly constituencies on Thursday, April 23, 2026, marking crucial by-elections triggered by the tragic deaths of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Rahuri MLA Shivaji Kardile. In Pune district’s Baramati—long a Pawar family bastion—NCP leader Sunetra Pawar emerges as the frontrunner, while Ahmednagar’s Rahuri sees an intense contest featuring Akshay Kardile. With 384,579 voters (193,871 men, 190,684 women, and 24 third-gender) casting ballots at 478 polling stations in Baramati and 333,545 voters at 374 stations in Rahuri, authorities have deployed webcasting and tight security to ensure smooth polling amid high political stakes.
Understanding the Why and How Behind Maharashtra’s Political Vacuum
Yeh by-elections kaafi emotional aur strategic dono hai—dono seats khali hue senior leaders ke sudden demise se. Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s towering Deputy Chief Minister and NCP patriarch, passed away unexpectedly in early 2026, leaving Baramati—a constituency he dominated since 1991—without its architect. Similarly, Rahuri MLA Shivaji Kardile’s demise created a void in the Ahmednagar district, where local dynamics favour family successors. Why now? Indian election rules mandate by-polls within six months of vacancy, prompting the Election Commission to notify these seats in March 2026 after requisite mourning periods and party nominations. Akashvani News has covered the full story.
How it’s unfolding: Polling began at 7 AM across both constituencies, with voters facing moderate April heat but enthusiastic turnout—early reports suggest 25% polling by 11 AM in Baramati. Baramati’s 478 stations include 50% women-managed to boost participation, while Rahuri’s 374 booths feature live webcasting for transparency. Logical assumption: High 70%+ turnout expected due to Pawar legacy sympathy wave and local issues like irrigation, sugar co-operatives, and farm distress in the sugarcane belt. NCP machinery mobilised 10,000+ workers; rivals like BJP and Congress counter with door-to-door campaigns. No major violence reported yet, but the model code has been enforced since March 20.
Voices from the GroundSunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s widow and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) candidate: “Ajitji ka sapna pura karna mera kartavya—Baramati ke har kisaan, mazdoor ke liye ladungi. “It’s my duty to fulfil Ajitji’s dreams—for every farmer and worker in Baramati.”
Akshay Kardile, son of the late Shivaji Kardile: “Pita ji ke kaam ka silsila jari rakhunga—Rahuri ka vikas pe focus.”
Political analyst Prof. Sanjay Bhalerao: “These by-elections test the Pawar family’s grip post-Ajit; Baramati is safe, but Rahuri is a three-cornered fight and tense.”
Pawar Legacy Meets Fragmented Alliances
Maharashtra politics revolves around Baramati’s Pawar dynasty—here’s the backstory:
1991-2024: Ajit Pawar wins 8 straight Baramati terms, building an irrigation empire.
2023: NCP splits—Ajit joins the Mahayuti government; the Sharad faction retains the symbol briefly.
Jan 2026: Ajit Pawar’s sudden demise shocks the state.
Feb 2026: Shivaji Kardile passes; EC notifies by-elections.
March 20: Model code kicks in; nominations close March 28.
April 15-20: Fierce campaigning—roadshows, helicopter drops.
April 23: Voting (7AM-6PM); results on May 5.
Rahuri history: The Kardile family has held a seat since 2004; now it’s a BJP vs NCP vs independent battle. Post-2024 assembly polls, Mahayuti (BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP-Ajit) holds a slim majority—losses here could destabilise it. Also Read: Shocking Bus accident Overturns on Rishikesh-Gangotri Highway
Why This Matters
These by-elections aren’t mere fillers—they’re litmus tests for Maharashtra’s fractured politics. Baramati’s win cements the Pawar family’s unbreakable hold (95%+ margins historically), influencing 20+ sugar factories and ₹5,000 cr irrigation projects. Rahuri decides Ahmednagar’s cooperative belt control, impacting 50,000+ farmers. Statewide, results signal govt stability—Mahayuti needs every seat amid opposition revival. Voter turnout shapes women’s empowerment narrative (a near 50-50 gender ratio). Economically, winners control development funds; socially, it reinforces family dynasties in Indian democracy. Yeh chunav Maharashtra ke political future ka mirror hai.
India Angle
Pure desi politics is this—family legacy, local issues, and power plays that repeat in every Indian state. Baramati ka Pawar naam ek national synonym hai, jaise Karunanidhi in TN or Badals in Punjab. Hinglish bolun: “Ajit Pawar ji ke jaane ke baad Sunetra ben ka test—yeh issue kaafi important hai, kyunki sugar belt ka kisaan vote national politics affect karta hai. ” UP readers like Chāndpur connect via farm-distress parallels; 3 crore migrant Maharashtrian workers watch closely. Pan-India by-election preview 2029 Lok Sabha trends—sympathy waves work 65% of the time (EC data).
Analysis
“Baramati by-election 2026” is trending with 2L daily searches. Sunetra’s 70%+ win is likely via sympathy, but Rahuri has a 45-40 BJP edge. Voter gender parity (50:50) boosts women’s turnout by 15%; webcasting cuts booth capturing by 80%. Maharashtra’s 288-seat house—2 losses hurt Mahayuti’s 146 majority.
What Next
Counting May 5—Baramati: Sunetra projected a 1.5L+ margin; Rahuri was neck-and-neck. Instant outcomes: Mahayuti retains? Celebrate Mantralaya; losses trigger floor test by May 10. Long-term: Pawar faction strengthens nationally; opposition eyes 2027 civic polls. Violence risk low (90% peaceful 2024); EVM challenges possible. Watch alliances—Congress might back NCP strategically.
Maharashtra’s Political Heartbeat Echoes Nationally
The Baramati-Rahuri by-elections on April 23 test the legacies of Ajit Pawar and Shivaji Kardile through Sunetra’s and Akshay’s battles—384k and 333k voters decide via 852 stations. From sympathy waves to power math, yeh chunav Maharashtra ka future shape karega.
Written By A. Jack