Maharashtra's ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance was on Monday defeated by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena combine in the Khadakwasla assembly by-election.
Bhimrao Tapkir, who belongs to the BJP, trounced the Congress-NCP nominee Harshada Wanjale by a margin of 4,000 votes. The polling took place on Oct 13.
Hailing Tapkir's victory, BJP leader Eknath Khadse said it was "not surprising but on expected lines" in view of the Congress-NCP's "misrule" in the state.
Ironically, the seat was earlier held by Harshada Wanjale's late husband Ramesh Wanjale, who belonged to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. His widow contested on NCP ticket but could not capture popular imagination.
Ramesh Wanjale died three months ago, necessitating the election. The MNS did not put up a candidate as a tribute to Wanjale's memory.