In a significant political development in Maharashtra, Akshay Kardile of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has retained his father’s seat in the Rahuri Assembly constituency by-election, securing a decisive victory. The by-election was necessitated following the passing of senior BJP MLA Shivajirao Kardile, who had represented the constituency for six terms.
The counting of votes on May 4, 2026, confirmed a substantial lead for Akshay Kardile over his closest rival, Mokate Govind Khandu of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (Sharadchandra Pawar faction). Reports indicated that Kardile secured a commanding margin, with various sources highlighting his strong performance throughout the counting process. In one of the early rounds, Kardile had established a lead of over 9,637 votes, which progressively widened as the counting advanced.
By the conclusion of all 27 counting rounds, Akshay Kardile had amassed a significant number of votes, leading by an impressive margin of over 1.1 lakh votes in some reports, solidifying his win and continuing his father’s political legacy in the Rahuri seat. This victory is seen as a testament to the BJP’s continued influence in the region and the effective campaigning by the Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and allied parties.
The Rahuri by-election, held alongside the Baramati by-election, was closely watched for shifts in voter sentiment. The polling for the by-election took place on April 23, with a voter turnout of 56.20% recorded in the Rahuri constituency. The results were declared on May 4, 2026.
Shivajirao Kardile, a prominent BJP leader from Ahmednagar district, passed away in October 2025 at the age of 66. His son, Akshay Kardile, was subsequently fielded by the BJP, overcoming initial considerations and potential claimants for the ticket. The BJP’s Central Election Committee announced his candidature, underscoring the party’s commitment to retaining the seat. Prior to the election, there were discussions regarding potential unopposed elections, particularly in the Baramati constituency, but the Rahuri seat saw a contest.
The political landscape in Maharashtra, comprising 288 Assembly seats, is currently dominated by the Mahayuti alliance, which holds a strong majority. The opposition, the Maha Vikas Aaghadi, has a smaller representation. The Rahuri constituency, located in Ahmednagar district, is a general category seat and has a significant rural voter base, reflecting agrarian and semi-urban political dynamics.
The by-election in Rahuri, along with that in Baramati, where Sunetra Pawar also secured a lead, were considered indicators of local anti-incumbency and voter sentiment. The results are expected to provide insights into the electoral mood in the Ahmednagar region and its surrounding rural areas.
The Chenab Times News Desk