BJP nominates late BJP MLA’s son Akshay Kardile for Rahuri assembly bypoll in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The BJP has nominated Akshay Kardile for the by-elections to the Rahuri seat in Ahilyanagar district, necessitated by the death of his father Shivajirao Kardile.

Polling is scheduled for 23 April, with counting on 4 May.

Kardile (67) 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. 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.

Kardile’s son-in-law Sangram Jagtap is a three-time NCP MLA from the Ahmednagar City seat and a former Ahilyanagar Mayor.

The BJP’s Central Election Committee announced Akshay Kardile as the candidate on Wednesday, despite a few other claimants.

Tanpure, who is now with the NCP (SP) is keen to contest, however, the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners, Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), is yet to formally take a call.