Daijiworld Media Network - Rahuri

Rahuri, May 4: Akshay Kardile of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a landslide victory in the Rahuri Assembly by-election, winning by a margin of 1,12,587 votes.

The bypoll was necessitated following the demise of sitting MLA Shivajirao Kardile. Continuing his father’s political legacy, Akshay Kardile secured 1,40,093 votes, while Govind Mokate of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) managed 27,506 votes.

From the very beginning of counting, Kardile maintained a clear and decisive lead, which kept widening with every round, making his victory evident well before the official declaration.

A key turning point in the election was the withdrawal of Prajakta Tanpure. Initially expected to contest, Tanpure stepped back after a high-level meeting with BJP state president Ravindra Chavan and guardian minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. Following the meeting, Tanpure announced the decision citing the development of Rahuri, significantly altering the political equations.

After Tanpure’s exit, the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) faced a last-minute candidate crisis and fielded Govind Mokate, a former panchayat samiti member. However, the late nomination left little time to build a strong campaign, which was reflected in the results, with Mokate suffering a heavy defeat and likely forfeiting his deposit.

There was early speculation that the by-election could go uncontested after Shivajirao Kardile’s demise, but despite Tanpure’s withdrawal, the contest proceeded, ultimately resulting in a one-sided BJP victory.

The outcome has reshaped political dynamics in Rahuri, reaffirming BJP’s organisational strength and strategy. Notably, Akshay Kardile surpassed his late father’s previous victory margin, marking a significant political milestone in the constituency.