Mahayuti suffers setback in Gokul poll as minister Hasan Mushrif's son Navid loses

The Mahayuti has suffered a major setback in the Gokul Milk Union elections. The like-minded alliance led by Satej Patil won a resounding victory. Navid Mushrif, son of state minister Hasan Mushrif and the current chairman of Gokul, was heavily defeated. The election was being run under Hasan Mushrif's leadership, so the result is being described as a big blow to Mushrif himself. Hasan Mushrif has now given his first reaction after the results.

Mushrif spoke to farmers at the launch of the crushing season at the Santaji Ghorpade sugar factory. He gave his reaction on the occasion and tried to enthuse party workers. Mushrif said, "We have lost the Gokul Milk Union election. We must not break down because of the defeat, and we must not be disheartened. From tomorrow, let us get back to work once again."

Mushrif said a meeting to reflect on the defeat would be held at 5 pm tomorrow. He said everyone must attend the meeting, reflect on the defeat and decide the future strategy. He also said that a large number of registrations had been made for the graduates' constituency election. Those who have registered must bring in the Mahayuti candidates. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in Kolhapur yesterday. According to Mushrif, a promise was made to him at that time that the Mahayuti candidate would be made to win, and that promise must be kept.

On the defeat, Mushrif said, "We accept this defeat." According to him, infighting within the Mahayuti continued until the end of the election, and his alliance was formed only after those disputes. He said the alliance may therefore not have appealed to voters. Mushrif also made clear that, with the welfare of milk-producing farmers of Kolhapur district in mind, he would give whatever support is needed for the progress of the Gokul Milk Union.

The real contest in the election was between Satej Patil and Hasan Mushrif. The like-minded alliance was fighting under Patil's leadership and the Mahayuti under Mushrif's. Turnout in the election was 99 per cent. When counting began for the 25 seats, everyone's heartbeat was racing, but the result surprised all. The like-minded alliance won 13 seats, while the Mahayuti won 12. Among the losers are former chairman Arun Dongle, Vishwas Narayan Patil and Gokul's current chairman Navid Mushrif.