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

Published 22 June 2026 · politics

Nashik MLC Poll Shocker: How BJP Rebel Became 'Giant Slayer' For Shinde's Sena Published By, Last Updated: June 22, 2026, 14:01 IST Running as an

Nashik MLC Poll Shocker: How BJP Rebel Became 'Giant Slayer' For Shinde's Sena Published By, Last Updated: June 22, 2026, 14:01 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 Rapid Read Eknath Shinde, Gokul Gite. (News18 Marathi) Gokul Gite emerged as a ‘giant killer’ on Monday, leading to major political upset for the ruling Mahayuti 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. What Gite said Before the counting of votes began, Gite made a 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 He said, “I had only stopped my campaign, I had not officially withdrawn from the election.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.

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." With agency inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author 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 First Published: June 22, 2026, 13:54 IST News india Nashik MLC Poll Shocker: How BJP Rebel Became 'Giant Slayer' For Shinde's Sena Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.