Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 20: In a major setback for the Thackeray brothers, not a single candidate from their panel managed to secure a victory in the crucial BEST Patpedhi elections, the results of which were declared late Tuesday night.

The five-yearly polls for The Best Employees Co-op. Credit Society Ltd. witnessed an impressive 83 percent turnout on Monday despite heavy rains. The counting, delayed due to weather conditions, stretched past midnight before the final results were announced.

Labor leader Shashank Rao’s panel emerged the biggest winner with 14 of its candidates elected, while seven candidates from BJP MLA Prasad Lad’s panel also secured seats. The outcome has effectively brought Rao’s BEST Workers Union to power in the Patpedhi, sidelining both the Thackeray faction and Kamgar Sena.

The election was considered prestigious for the Thackeray brothers and for Lad, with both camps claiming confidence of victory during the campaign. However, as counting progressed, it became clear that the real battle was between Lad and Rao, with the latter registering a decisive win.

Despite commanding influence through Shiv Sena’s Kamgar Sena, which has a large presence in the credit union, the Thackeray brothers’ panel faltered. Analysts point to irregularities by the outgoing Kamgar Sena-led board of directors and hasty decisions in candidate selection, including fielding a nominee from Shinde’s Shiv Sena, as reasons behind the poor performance.

On the other hand, Prasad Lad campaigned with the backing of five organisations, giving his panel a strong footing, though Rao’s group ultimately secured majority control.

With this victory, Shashank Rao has further strengthened his position within the BEST workforce, while the Thackeray brothers face yet another blow in Mumbai’s labour politics.