NCP deserter loses Satara, Sharad Pawar is happy
What's the story
Satara Lok Sabha constituency of Maharashtra has garnered a lot of attention today, courtesy the election results. BJP candidate Udayanraje Bhosale, who was previously with Sharad Pawar's NCP, has lost by 88,000 votes. And these numbers have naturally made the party patriarch happy as he said people have rejected those who left the party. Satara has essentially been NCP's bastion. Here's more.
By-polls
First, let's look at the recent turn of events
In summer elections, Bhosale won from Satara on an NCP ticket. A few months later, he resigned from NCP and his Lok Sabha seat to join BJP. The 13th descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji was welcomed into BJP by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The heavyweights campaigned for him aggressively, but people didn't choose him.
Contest
To take on Bhosale, NCP had fielded Srinivas Patil
NCP, for whom Satara became a prestige battle, fielded Srinivas Patil, a close aide of Pawar. Interestingly, just days before the polls, Bhosale sent shockwaves across BJP corridors by saying he would extend support to Pawar if he decides to contest. To note, on October 19, the last day of campaigning, Pawar addressed a rally in Satara, despite heavy downpour.
Information
Soaked in rain, Pawar said he made a "mistake"
In his speech, Pawar lamented the decision to field Bhosale from Satara. He said he made a mistake but the people of the constituency would correct it on October 21. He also said Satara will create a miracle on the result day.
Statement
After results, Pawar said people rejected defectors
As trends brought a piece of good news for NCP from Satara, Pawar addressed media. He said, "Defections had not been accepted by people, with some exceptions," and added people of the state didn't like the arrogance of those in power. When asked if Congress-NCP combine might lend support to Shiv Sena to stall BJP's return, Pawar said, "There is no such proposal."