Assembly‑by‑poll voting is underway for the Baramati (Maharashtra), Rahuri (Maharashtra), and Umreth (Gujarat) constituencies on April 23, 2026, with results scheduled for May 4, alongside the Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Assembly elections.
Baramati Bypoll and Sunetra Pawar
In the Baramati bypoll, Sunetra Pawar—widow of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar—is contesting unopposed after the Congress withdrew its candidate, effectively handing her the seat without a contested vote. Despite the lack of competition, the Election Commission is still recording turnout because the bypoll process is formally in motion and must be completed according to schedule.
Early Turnout Figures
As of 9 am on voting day, the early‑morning turnout stood at roughly 8.01% in Baramati, 6.39% in Rahuri, and about 10% in Umreth, indicating cautious but steady voter participation in these three key by‑polls. The Umreth Assembly bypoll in Gujarat, in particular, is being watched as a local‑level test for the ruling BJP and its challengers in a traditionally BJP‑dominated state.
Why These By‑Polls Matter
Beyond the numbers, these by‑polls are significant for party‑level narrative:
- Baramati’s internal Pawar‑family‑linked dynamics (via Sunetra Pawar) keep the NCP‑legacy question in the spotlight.
- Rahuri and Umreth offer smaller‑scale but politically sensitive indicators of mood ahead of the larger state‑election verdicts on May 4.
