Satara, Correspondent

The results of the prestigious Satara District Central Cooperative Bank (SDCCB) elections have brought a significant shift in the district’s cooperative and political landscape. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party, securing nine of the 21 seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has won eight seats and Shiv Sena four.

Together, the BJP and Shiv Sena, both constituents of the Mahayuti alliance, now command 13 directors on the bank’s board. The NCP has secured eight seats.

However, the election results represent much more than a numerical contest. They have reshaped the political influence of several prominent leaders and set the stage for an intense struggle over control of one of Satara district’s most influential cooperative financial institutions.

Vote counting was conducted under tight police security at the Urban Cooperative Banks Association counting centre near Jarandeshwar Naka in Satara city. As the results were announced, supporters of victorious candidates celebrated by throwing gulal, bursting firecrackers and raising slogans.

Several unexpected outcomes sparked intense discussions across political circles.

Shambhuraj Desai Avenges Defeat; Desai Group Wins in Patan After 42 Years

One of the most closely watched contests took place in Patan taluka, where Guardian Minister Shambhuraj Desai defeated BJP candidate Satyajitsinh Patankar by 12 votes.

Desai secured 58 votes against Patankar’s 46, successfully avenging his defeat by 14 votes in the previous election.

The victory marks a significant political comeback for Desai in the district cooperative banking sector. More importantly, the Desai faction has captured the constituency after 42 years, making the outcome particularly significant for Patan’s political landscape.

Jaykumar Gore Makes a Commanding Comeback in Man

In Man taluka, Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore registered a decisive victory, securing 53 votes.

His rivals, NCP candidate Manoj Pol and Shiv Sena candidate Shekhar Gore, received 14 and seven votes, respectively.

The result has once again demonstrated Gore’s political dominance in Man and marked his strong return to the district cooperative bank’s decision-making structure.

Naik Nimbalkar Family Rivalry Takes Centre Stage in Phaltan

In Phaltan, Sanjeevraje Naik Nimbalkar retained his political influence by winning the cooperative society constituency.

He defeated Samsher Singh Naik Nimbalkar, brother of former Member of Parliament Ranjitsinh Naik Nimbalkar.

The closely watched contest brought the political rivalry within the influential Naik Nimbalkar family back into the spotlight, highlighting the changing power dynamics in Phaltan.

Dramatic Finish in Koregaon: Sunil Mane Wins Through Draw of Lots

The Koregaon constituency witnessed one of the most dramatic contests of the election.

NCP candidate Sunil Mane and BJP candidate Sunil Khatri were locked in an extremely close battle. Following an objection to one ballot paper, the vote was declared invalid, leaving both candidates tied at 44 votes each.

With neither candidate securing a majority, the election was ultimately decided through a draw of lots.

Luck favoured Sunil Mane, who was subsequently declared the winner.

The process sparked objections from supporters of both candidates, creating tension at the counting centre for some time.

Udaysinh Patil-Undalkar Registers Major Victory in Karad

In Karad, Udaysinh Patil-Undalkar, son of former minister the late Vilaskaka Undalkar, registered an impressive victory by securing 100 votes and defeating Dhanaji Patil by a substantial margin.

In the Savali constituency, BJP candidate Dnyandev Ranjane secured 38 votes to defeat NCP candidate Vitthal Gole, who received eight votes.

In Khandala, NCP candidate Ajay Bhosale won with 28 votes, defeating BJP candidate Sanjeev Gadhave by seven votes.

NCP's Rupali Rajpure Wins in Mahabaleshwar

In Mahabaleshwar, NCP candidate Rupali Rajpure secured eight votes and defeated Shiv Sena candidate Sanjay More by a margin of four votes.

From the Industrial and Weavers Constituency, BJP candidate Chandrakant Jadhav emerged victorious with 19 votes.

In the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constituency, Shiv Sena candidate Deepak Pralhad Chavan secured 618 votes.

Meanwhile, BJP candidate Arjun Kale won the Nomadic and Denotified Tribes constituency by securing 349 votes, defeating independent candidate Sunil Wagh, who received 284 votes.

BJP Emerges Strongest, but Battle for Bank Control Begins Now

The final party-wise composition of the 21-member board reflects the BJP’s growing influence in Satara’s cooperative sector.

Party-wise seat tally

9

BJP

8

NCP

4

Shiv Sena

Total: 21 seats | Mahayuti (BJP + Shiv Sena): 13 seats

 

Of the 21 seats, nine candidates were elected unopposed, including five from the BJP, three from the NCP and one from Shiv Sena.

In the remaining contested constituencies, the BJP won four seats, the NCP five and Shiv Sena three.

Although the BJP has emerged as the single largest party with nine seats, the future control of the district cooperative bank will largely depend on unity and coordination among the Mahayuti partners.

The election has reinforced the political strength of leaders such as Jaykumar Gore, Shambhuraj Desai, Udaysinh Patil-Undalkar and Sanjeevraje Naik Nimbalkar in their respective constituencies.

At the same time, the NCP has demonstrated that it remains a formidable political force in Satara’s cooperative sector by securing eight seats.

Chairmanship Race Set to Intensify

With the Mahayuti alliance holding 13 seats, attention has now shifted towards the election of the bank’s chairman and vice-chairman, as well as control over important committees.

Despite its numerical advantage, the alliance may face internal negotiations over the distribution of key positions.

The BJP’s claim to the chairmanship, as the largest party, will depend heavily on Shiv Sena’s support and the political understanding reached among senior leaders.

Meanwhile, the NCP, with eight directors, is expected to play an important role in the bank’s political affairs, even if it remains outside the ruling combination.

The results have made one thing clear: although the electoral battle has ended, the real contest for control of the Satara District Central Cooperative Bank has only just begun.

The coming days will determine whether the BJP and Shiv Sena can translate their combined numerical strength into effective control of the bank, or whether internal political equations create new opportunities for the NCP.

Photo caption: Supporters celebrate with gulal and floral garlands following the Satara District Central Cooperative Bank election results.

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