India, April 6 -- OBC leader Laxman Hake on Sunday announced he will contest the upcoming Baramati Assembly by-election, directly challenging deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar.

A prominent figure in the OBC movement, Hake said he is entering the fray to highlight issues affecting the community and push them into the state political agenda.

Speaking to the media on Sunday, Hake said, "This election will largely be fought on a sympathy wave. We decided to contest because our demands were ignored. Elections give us a platform to raise our issues when protests and agitations fail to draw government attention."

After consultations with his team, Hake said he would file nomination papers on Monday.

Responding to the chief minister Devendr...