Maharashtra by-polls: BJP banks on Kardile legacy, NCP (SP) backs Mokate in Rahuri

Mumbai: The by-elections to the Rahuri seat in Ahilyanagar district will see a straight fight between BJP’s Akshay Kardile and Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP)’s Govind Mokate. 

The by-polls in Rahuri has been necessitated following the death of Shivajirao Kardile (67), who died on 17 October 2025 following a heart attack.

Kardile won the Rahuri seat in 2009 and 2014; however, in 2019, he lost to Sharad Pawar-led NCP’s Prajakt Tanpure. However, in 2024 polls, he bounced back and retained the seat defeating Tanpure.

Kardile Senior was a significant player in the Ahilayanagar district and the state’s farming and cooperative sector.

The BJP nominated his son Akshay for the seat. The NCP (SP) fielded Mokate after Tanpure did not file the papers.

Apparently, senior BJP leaders including water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil and state president Ravindra Chavan met him.

State NCP president Shashikant Shinde said that Tanpure was not keen to contest, however, he was being asked by his supporters. “When he did not file nominations, Mokate was nominated,” he said.