BJP's Akshay Kardile wins Rahuri bypoll by 1.12 lakh votes, routs NCP-SP
Synopsis
BJP's Akshay Kardile didn't just win the Rahuri bypoll — he obliterated the Opposition, polling over 1.12 lakh more votes than NCP-SP's Govind Mokate. That's more than triple the margin his late father achieved in 2024, turning a sympathy wave into a political landslide that strengthens the MahaYuti coalition's grip on rural Maharashtra.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Shivajirao Kardile of the BJP won the Rahuri Assembly bypoll on 5 May 2025 with 1,40,093 votes .
He defeated NCP (SP) candidate Govind Mokate , who received 27,506 votes , by a margin exceeding 1.12 lakh votes .
The bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran BJP leader Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile in October 2025 .
Voter turnout stood at 54.80% , down from 74.97% in the 2024 elections.
NCP (SP) leader Prajakt Tanpure withdrew from the race after talks with CM Devendra Fadnavis , weakening the Opposition's challenge.
The victory reinforces the MahaYuti coalition's dominance, coinciding with a parallel lead for Sunetra Pawar in the Baramati bypoll.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee Akshay Shivajirao Kardile on Monday, 5 May 2025, secured a landslide victory in the Rahuri Assembly by-election in Ahilyanagar, defeating Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidate Govind Mokate by a margin of over 1.12 lakh votes. The result, confirmed by official data from the Election Commission of India (ECI), marks a dominant consolidation of BJP's grip over the Ahmednagar region.
Vote Count and Margin
Akshay Kardile polled 1,40,093 votes, while his nearest rival Govind Mokate of the NCP (SP) received just 27,506 votes. The winning margin of more than 1.12 lakh votes substantially eclipses the 34,487-vote margin secured by his late father, Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile, in the 2024 general elections — a sign that the sympathy wave following the elder Kardile's death translated into an overwhelming mandate.
Notably, Akshay Kardile led from the very first round of counting, suggesting a near-unanimous preference among active voters rather than a late surge.
Why the Bypoll Was Held
The Rahuri Assembly seat fell vacant following the untimely demise of veteran BJP leader Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile in October 2025. The BJP fielded his son Akshay in a calculated move to harness both family loyalty and the sympathy factor in the constituency. Polling was held on 23 April 2025, with voter turnout recorded at 54.80% — a notable decline from the 74.97% seen in 2024, though analysts note that the decisive result points to a clear directional preference among those who did vote.
NCP-SP Withdrawal and Political Maneuvering
The Opposition's campaign was further weakened when former Minister and NCP (SP) leader Prajakt Tanpure withdrew from the race after a telephonic conversation with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. According to reports, Fadnavis assured Tanpure of government support for a set of development projects he had proposed for the Rahuri Assembly constituency. Tanpure subsequently stated he would take a final decision after consulting his supporters — effectively stepping aside and leaving Govind Mokate as the principal Opposition challenger.
Broader Political Significance
The result is a significant boost for the MahaYuti coalition in Maharashtra, arriving alongside the Baramati bypoll, where Sunetra Pawar has reportedly maintained a steady lead. Political analysts describe the Rahuri outcome as a litmus test of BJP's rural connectivity in western Maharashtra — a region where agrarian distress and caste arithmetic have historically made electoral outcomes unpredictable.
This is the Kardile family's continued dominance of a seat that has become synonymous with their political identity in Ahmednagar district. For Akshay Kardile, the victory marks a formal and emphatic entry into state politics, ensuring the Kardile legacy remains a dominant force in the region's political landscape. With the MahaYuti consolidating wins in multiple bypolls simultaneously, the results are likely to shape coalition dynamics ahead of the next round of state-level contests.
Point of View
Prajakt Tanpure, stepped aside following a phone call with the Chief Minister. Critics will ask whether that withdrawal reflects political pragmatism or a quiet accommodation that hollowed out any real contest. For the MahaYuti, the Rahuri result, combined with Baramati, signals that rural Maharashtra remains firmly in its column — but the low 54.80% turnout is a cautionary footnote that consolidation can sometimes mask disengagement rather than enthusiasm.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Rahuri Assembly bypoll 2025?
BJP candidate Akshay Shivajirao Kardile won the Rahuri Assembly bypoll on 5 May 2025, polling 1,40,093 votes against NCP (SP)'s Govind Mokate, who received 27,506 votes. The winning margin exceeded 1.12 lakh votes.
Why was the Rahuri Assembly bypoll held?
The bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran BJP leader Shivaji Bhanudas Kardile in October 2025, which left the Rahuri seat vacant. His son Akshay Kardile was fielded by the BJP to contest the seat.
What was the voter turnout in the Rahuri bypoll 2025?
Voter turnout for the Rahuri bypoll, held on 23 April 2025, was recorded at 54.80%, a significant drop from 74.97% in the 2024 general elections.
Why did Prajakt Tanpure withdraw from the Rahuri bypoll?
Former Minister and NCP (SP) leader Prajakt Tanpure withdrew from the race after a telephonic conversation with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who reportedly assured him government support for development projects in the Rahuri constituency.
What does the Rahuri bypoll result mean for the MahaYuti coalition?
The result is a major boost for the MahaYuti coalition, reinforcing BJP's rural stronghold in Ahmednagar district. Combined with Sunetra Pawar's reported lead in the Baramati bypoll, it signals continued coalition dominance in Maharashtra's key constituencies.
