The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Akshay Shivajirao Kardile, emerged victorious in the Rahuri Assembly by-election, securing a resounding win. Official data from the Election Commission of India revealed that Kardile, who succeeded his late father Shivaji Kardile, garnered a significant lead from the beginning of the vote count. With 1,40,093 votes, he surpassed his closest competitor, Govind Mokate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), who received 27,506 votes.
The landslide victory of Akshay Kardile by a margin of over 1.12 lakh votes underscores the BJP’s strong position in the region, surpassing his father’s previous victory margin in the 2024 general elections. The by-election in Rahuri was necessitated by the unfortunate passing of veteran BJP leader Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile in October 2025. Akshay Kardile’s successful campaign aimed to capitalize on the sympathy wave and uphold the family’s enduring influence in Ahmednagar district.
Opposition candidate Govind Mokate, backed by the NCP-SP alliance, failed to make significant headway against Kardile’s overwhelming support. Despite a lower voter turnout of 54.80% compared to the previous election’s 74.97%, the decisive outcome indicates a clear preference among the electorate. Former Minister Prajakt Tanpure, who initially contested, withdrew from the race following discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, citing assurances of government assistance for developmental projects in Rahuri.
The victory in the Rahuri by-election not only strengthens the MahaYuti coalition in Maharashtra but also signifies a crucial milestone for Akshay Kardile, marking his formal entry into state politics and ensuring the enduring legacy of the Kardile family in Ahmednagar’s political landscape.
