Sangli, Correspondent
MLA Gopichand Padalkar, former minister Ajitrao Ghorpade and former MP Sanjaykaka Patil emerged victorious in the elections held for six seats of the Sangli District Central Cooperative Bank, significantly reshaping the district's political equations.
In a closely contested battle in Tasgaon, Sanjaykaka Patil defeated Sumantai Patil, delivering a setback to MLA Rohit Patil's faction. Annasaheb Kore won from the Miraj Cooperative Societies constituency. Congress candidate Krishna Kamble emerged victorious in the Scheduled Castes category, while NCP candidate Sambhaji Kachare won from the Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes category.
The results were declared on Tuesday following vote counting at the Shetkari Bhavan of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Miraj. Supporters of the winning candidates celebrated by throwing gulal and bursting into celebrations.
Political Equations Complicated Despite Mahavikas Aghadi's Strong Presence
Although four seats in the bank election were secured unopposed, the Mahavikas Aghadi suffered setbacks in three of the six contested seats. Congress has emerged as the largest party in the overall seat tally.
Congress has secured four seats unopposed and won two more through the election, taking its total to six.
The BJP has secured four unopposed seats and added Gopichand Padalkar's victory, taking its tally to five. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction has secured three unopposed seats and one through the election, taking its total to four. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction has secured three seats unopposed.
With these results, the question of who will control the bank has become increasingly interesting. The role of Randhir Naik and Shiv Sena is expected to be crucial in determining the final power arrangement and the election of the chairman.
93.91% Voting Recorded; Counting Conducted at Miraj
Polling for the six seats was held on Sunday. Of the total 2,446 eligible voters, 2,297 exercised their franchise, recording an impressive voter turnout of 93.91%.
The high turnout had generated considerable anticipation across the district.
Counting began on Tuesday morning at Shetkari Bhavan in Miraj. Eight tables were arranged, and 25 employees were deployed for the exercise.
Initially, ballot papers were arranged in bundles of 25. After the verification and accounting of all ballot papers, the actual counting process began.
Four tables were assigned to the four talukas under the Cooperative Societies category, two tables were allocated to the Scheduled Castes category, and the remaining two tables were used for counting votes in the Nomadic Tribes and Denotified Tribes category.
Padalkar Wins High-Profile Jat Contest
In the closely watched Jat Cooperative Societies constituency, MLA Gopichand Padalkar secured 54 votes to defeat Vinod Pawar, who received 34 votes.
Padalkar won by a margin of 20 votes.
The contest had attracted considerable attention across Sangli district given its political significance.
Ghorpade Triumphs in Kavathe Mahankal
Former minister Ajitrao Ghorpade registered a narrow victory in the Kavathe Mahankal Cooperative Societies constituency.
Ghorpade secured 37 votes, defeating Tanaji Patil, who received 33 votes.
The result was decided by a slender margin of just four votes.
Sanjaykaka Patil Deals Setback to Rohit Patil in Tasgaon
One of the most closely followed contests took place in Tasgaon, where former MP Sanjaykaka Patil defeated Sumantai Patil by just two votes.
Sanjaykaka Patil secured 40 votes against Sumantai Patil's 38.
The narrow victory has delivered a political setback to MLA Rohit Patil's faction and made the Tasgaon result one of the most talked-about outcomes of the district bank election.
Annasaheb Kore Wins in Miraj
In the Miraj Cooperative Societies constituency, Annasaheb Kore secured a decisive victory over Anil Shegunshe.
Kore received 47 votes, while Shegunshe secured 19 votes, resulting in a winning margin of 28 votes.
Congress's Krishna Kamble Wins Scheduled Castes Seat
In the Scheduled Castes constituency, Congress candidate Krishna Dhondi Kamble registered a substantial victory with 1,914 votes.
His opponents, Vilas Pandurang Bele and Babasaheb Madhale, secured 176 and 112 votes, respectively.
Kamble won by a considerable margin, strengthening Congress's position in the bank.
Sambhaji Kachare Wins Nomadic Tribes Constituency
In the Nomadic Tribes, Denotified Tribes and Special Backward Classes constituency, NCP candidate Sambhaji Baburao Kachare emerged victorious with 1,974 votes.
Amit Shankar Parekar received 189 votes, while Shankar Mane secured 46 votes.
Kachare's victory adds another seat to the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction's tally.
Celebrations Erupt at APMC Premises
A large number of supporters gathered at the APMC premises in Miraj while counting was underway.
As the trends became clear, excitement grew among supporters of the candidates. Following the official announcement of results, supporters celebrated by throwing gulal and raising slogans.
Supporters of Gopichand Padalkar organised a special celebration at Mission Hospital Chowk, using a JCB machine to shower gulal. A crane was also arranged to welcome the victorious candidates with garlands.
Election Results at a Glance
| Constituency | Winning candidate | Votes |
| Jat | Gopichand Padalkar | 54 |
| Kavathe Mahankal | Ajitrao Ghorpade | 37 |
| Tasgaon | Sanjaykaka Patil | 40 |
| Miraj | Annasaheb Kore | 47 |
| Scheduled Castes | Krishna Kamble | 1,914 |
| Nomadic Tribes | Sambhaji Kachare | 1,974 |
Who Will Control Sangli District Bank?
With the election results declared, attention has now shifted towards the formation of the bank's governing leadership.
Congress has emerged as the largest party with six seats, followed by the BJP with five. The Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction has four seats, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction has three seats. Four other seats were secured unopposed by candidates whose party affiliations are not specified in the available results.
The fractured political mandate has made the chairman's election particularly interesting. Randhir Naik and Shiv Sena are expected to play an important role in determining the final alignment.
While the victories of Padalkar, Ghorpade and Sanjaykaka Patil have altered several local political equations, the ultimate control of the Sangli District Central Cooperative Bank will depend on post-election negotiations and alliances.
The electoral battle is over, but the real political contest for the bank's chairmanship is now set to begin.
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