Sunetra Pawar, the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, has contacted Uddhav Thackeray, the president of Shiv Sena (UBT), to seek his support for her candidacy in the Baramati assembly bypoll. This outreach comes after the Congress party declared its intention to contest the seat, which became vacant following the tragic death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in a plane crash in Baramati on January 28. The bypoll is scheduled for April 23. Pawar aims to secure the seat unopposed, and her appeal to Thackeray marks the initial step in this direction, with potential outreach to other parties, including Congress. Baramati has historically been a stronghold for the Pawar family, represented by Sharad Pawar for six terms and by Ajit Pawar, who won the seat eight times.