India, April 9 -- In a significant climbdown hours before the nomination withdrawal deadline, the Congress on Thursday announced that it will not contest the Baramati assembly bypoll, paving the way for an uncontested victory for Sunetra Pawar.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party had initially gone ahead with its campaign after fielding Akash More for the Baramati bypoll, but decided to withdraw following sustained outreach from NCP leaders.

"We discussed internally and were of the view that our decision was correct but considering the tradition of Maharashtra and the communication made, the party decided to withdraw our candidate Akash More from Baramati bypolls," Sapkal said.

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