India, April 10 -- The Opposition Congress on Thursday opted out of the bypoll to the Baramati Assembly seat in Maharashtra at the last moment, giving a virtual walkover to ruling NCP candidate and Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, though a contest will still take place as 22 other nominees remain in the fray.

After initially appearing firm to contest the April 23 bypoll, necessitated due to the death of former Deputy Chief Minister and sitting Baramati MLA Ajit Pawar, the husband of Sunetra, the Congress withdrew its candidate in the wake of calls from ruling allies Nationalist Congress Party, BJP and also its Opposition partner NCP (SP).

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal sought to frame the d...