The long-standing convention in Maharashtra of facilitating unopposed byelections in constituencies following the death of sitting legislators is steadily losing relevance. The contest appeared imminent but ultimately didn't materialise after Congress withdrew its candidate at the eleventh hour. In the 2021 bypoll to the Pandharpur assembly seat, the BJP wrested the seat from the NCP (undivided). In the 2022 bypoll, Rutuja Latke won the Andheri East seat unopposed after the BJP withdrew its candidate, Murji Patel, following public appeals to respect the tradition. In 2018, Vishwajit Kadam of Congress won the Palus-Kadegaon seat after the BJP candidate withdrew to honour the late Patangrao Kadam of Congress.

Source: The Telegraph April 11, 2026 08:18 UTC