Pune: Bapusaheb Pathare Defeats Sunil Tingre in Vadgaonsheri After Tight Contest
Vadgaonsheri, 23rd November 2024: In a dramatic turnaround, Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) candidate Bapusaheb Pathare has won from Vadgaonsheri constituency by around 5,000 votes in the final round. According to reports, sitting MLA Sunil Tingre from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP had been leading for the first 22 rounds. However, in the last round, Pathare surged ahead to secure victory.
Vadgaonsheri includes areas like Koregaon Park, Yerawada, Kalyani Nagar, and Viman Nagar, along with some rural regions. Sunil Tingre faced significant anti-incumbency due to complaints about unfulfilled promises, with Bapusaheb Pathare making this a focal point during his campaign. Additionally, Tingre’s name was associated with the Kalyani Nagar Porsche incident in Pune, where he was accused of siding with the minor involved and pressuring the administration, further affecting his popularity.
With a total of 4.89 lakh voters and a voter turnout of 55.71%, it was anticipated that this would be a close contest. Various campaign meetings were held, with Mahavikas Aghadi leaders, including Supriya Sule and Sushma Andhare, openly criticizing Tingre. This gave an advantage to Bapusaheb Pathare, but it remained a close battle.
What was initially expected to be a one-sided victory for Bapusaheb Pathare turned into a close contest, with Tingre maintaining the lead until the very last round. However, Pathare’s comeback secured him a victory by approximately 5,000 votes, defeating the sitting MLA.
