Solapur, Correspondent
In a significant result from the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, BJP candidate and former MLA Rajendra Raut secured a decisive victory over Vasant Nana Deshmukh of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction).
Raut received 483 votes, while Deshmukh managed 118 votes, giving the BJP candidate a winning margin of 385 votes. A total of 16 votes were declared invalid.
The counting of votes, cast on June 18, was completed on Monday at the district planning committee hall in Solapur. Following the announcement of the results, BJP workers and office-bearers celebrated the victory.
Key Political Contest
The Solapur election was closely watched amid broader political developments in Maharashtra, including ongoing realignments involving factions of Shiv Sena and other parties. Of the 17 vacant Legislative Council seats, six had already been filled unopposed, while voting was held for the remaining 11 seats.
The BJP had projected confidence throughout the campaign, citing strong support from local bodies. The party reportedly entered the contest with a substantial vote base from municipal councils, corporations, and district council representatives.
Cross-Party Support Helped BJP
According to local political assessments, Raut also benefited from support from leaders and representatives associated with the ruling Mahayuti alliance, including factions of Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party.
The BJP candidate was also said to have received backing from legislators linked to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP in constituencies such as Karmala, Madha, and Malshiras, as well as support from representatives associated with the Peasants and Workers Party in Sangola.
NCP’s Victory Claim Falls Short
Before the results, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction had expressed confidence about winning the seat. However, the final outcome proved otherwise, with the BJP registering a comfortable victory.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Guardian Minister Jaikumar Gore had predicted that Raut would cross the 500-vote mark. Although Raut fell short of that target, he still secured a commanding lead and emerged victorious.
The result is being viewed as another boost for the BJP and the Mahayuti alliance in western Maharashtra's local political landscape.
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