India, April 10 -- After a day of high drama and a few twists, the Congress withdrew its candidate for the Baramati assembly by-election, paving the way for an easy win for deputy chief minister and NCP chief, Sunetra Pawar.

The decision to withdraw its candidate, Akash More, was announced by Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Thursday, the deadline for withdrawal of nominations for the by-poll.

The Congress withdrew from the race after requests from leaders across political parties including NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Pawar herself.

"Considering the long tradition in Maharashtra and respecting the effort and communications made by the NCP leadership and others, we have decided ...