India, April 10 -- Entreaties were made, harsh words were spoken, and the curtain finally rang down on a drama that held the political stage in Maharashtra in thrall for five days. But the denouement was largely predictable: the Congress backed down, only clearing the way for what was already a foregone conclusion - a win for deputy chief minister and NCP chief Sunetra Pawar in the April 23 Baramati by-election.

The Congress held its own while the NCP and senior leaders from other political parties urged it to withdraw from the contest, finally giving in on only Thursday. In pressuring the Congress, politicians were "paying their respects" to former NCP chief Ajit Pawar, whose death had necessitated the by-election. As for the NCP, it is...