The Congress party is set to contest the Baramati assembly bypoll, which was called following the death of former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash. This decision comes despite appeals from allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena (UBT), who have opted not to contest in honor of Pawar. Congress leader Harshavardhan Sapkal announced that six candidates have expressed interest in representing the party in Baramati, while four are vying for the Rahuri constituency, also holding a bypoll due to the death of BJP legislator Shivaji Kardile. The by-elections are scheduled for April 23, 2024, with vote counting on May 4, 2024. In Rahuri, the BJP has nominated Akshay Kardile, the son of the deceased MLA, while opposition parties are considering supporting former minister Prajakt Tanpure, who is expected to run as an independent candidate. The situation highlights the internal tensions within the MVA as Congress moves forward with its candidacy.