PUNE: The Congress has withdrawn its candidate from the Baramati by-election, just hours before the deadline for withdrawal of nominations, in a move that could reshape the contest in the constituency. Despite the Congress exit, more than 30 Independent candidates remain in the fray, prompting efforts by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to persuade them to step aside before the 3pm deadline. The development follows an “advisory” from NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, who urged the Congress to withdraw from the race and back NCP candidate Sunetra Pawar.
