Daijiworld Media Network - Nashik
Nashik, Jun 22: BJP rebel candidate Gokul Gite pulled off a surprise victory in the Maharashtra Legislative Council’s Nashik district local governing body constituency on Monday, defeating ruling Shiv Sena nominee Narendra Darade.
Counting was held on Monday for the June 18 elections to 11 seats in the state Legislative Council. Gite, who contested as an independent candidate, secured 357 votes, while Darade received 248 votes, giving the rebel candidate a winning margin of 109 votes, election officials said.
The result came as a setback for the ruling alliance, with Darade, backed by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, being considered a strong contender in the constituency.
Darade had campaigned with the support of several elected representatives. His defeat comes amid political challenges for the Shinde-led Sena following the rebellion by six of the nine Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha members, with two MPs recently confirming their move to the ruling faction.
Reacting to the result, Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande questioned the outcome, saying, “There is a serious doubt about the result as we were assured that our candidate would be supported.”
According to reports, Darade left the counting centre after it became clear that a majority of local representatives had voted in favour of Gite.
The Nashik contest had turned controversial after Gite entered the race against Darade. Gite had alleged that Darade used inappropriate language against him, leading him to contest as an independent candidate.
Although senior Mahayuti leaders, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP minister Girish Mahajan and Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant, intervened to resolve the dispute, Gite’s name remained on the ballot as the withdrawal deadline had already passed.
After the victory, Gite clarified that he had only stopped his personal campaign, while his supporters continued campaigning on his behalf.
The biennial elections were initially announced for 17 seats, including one bypoll. However, voting was held only for 11 constituencies after Mahayuti candidates won six seats unopposed.
Those elected unopposed included BJP’s Arun Lakhani from Wardha-Chandrapur-Gadchiroli and Prajakt Tanpure from Ahilyanagar, NCP nominees Vikram Kakade from Pune and Aniket Tatkare from Raigad-Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, and Shiv Sena candidates Ravindra Phatak from Thane and Dushyant Chaturvedi from Yavatmal.
Tanpure had joined the BJP shortly before filing his nomination. He had earlier served as a minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and is the nephew of NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil.
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has alleged that the ruling alliance used money and influence to force rival candidates to withdraw.