Nashik MLC Poll Shocker: How BJP Rebel Became 'Giant Slayer' For Shinde's Sena

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 13:56 IST

Running as an independent candidate, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rebel Gokul Gite defeated the official Mahayuti (Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde faction) candidate, Narendra Darade

Gokul Gite emerged as a ‘giant killer’ on Monday, leading to major political upset in the Nashik Local Authorities’ Constituency Legislative Council (MLC) elections.

Running as an independent candidate, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rebel Gite defeated the official Mahayuti (Shiv Sena-Eknath Shinde faction) candidate, Narendra Darade.

Why it matters

Narendra Darade was a prominent, incumbent leader with the full backing of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which had significant voter strength in the constituency.

In the days leading up to the polls, senior Maharashtra ministers like Girish Mahajan and Uday Samant held multiple rounds of talks to force Gite to withdraw from the race and support the official alliance candidate. Despite intense pressure, Gite refused to step aside, stating that pulling out would be a betrayal of his voters.

Despite the efforts of party heavyweights to consolidate votes for the alliance, Gite secured a victory over Darade, causing a major shock to the ruling coalition.

What Gite said

Before the counting of votes began, Gite made a very sensational statement while talking to the media. He said, “I had only stopped my campaign, I had not officially withdrawn from the election. Even though I have stopped campaigning, the voters have voted for me spontaneously. I am confident that my victory will be ensured by the mandate of the voters."

According to preliminary information, Gite alone completed the quota of more than 100 votes out of 150 votes counted in the first round. Due to this one-sided voting in the first round, the official candidates of the Mahayuti were on the back foot.

Nashik Legislative Council results

Total voting: 618

13 of them invalid

605 valid votes

Quota 303

Independent- 357

Mahayuti Narendra Darade – 248

I have been betrayed: Darade

Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction candidate Narendra Darade reacted angrily. Darade said, “Everyone betrayed me. Our leaders were kept in the dark. Narendra Darade, the defeated candidate of the Shinde faction, said that the hair has cut our throat.

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Manjiri Joshi

At the news desk for 20 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing speci...Read More

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