Pawar camp's two candidates near wins in Council polls; Kakade says NCP (SP) now looks to 2029

Counting of votes is under way for five seats in the graduates' and teachers' constituencies of the Legislative Council. In the trends so far, three Mahayuti candidates and two Maha Vikas Aghadi candidates are leading. Mahayuti's dream of winning all the seats appears to be fading, and this is being seen as its biggest setback.

The Sharad Pawar camp, meanwhile, appears to be making a comeback in state politics. Both of its candidates are on the verge of victory, and there is a mood of celebration in the camp. The wins of Harshada Deshmukh and Pratapsinh Patil are almost certain. Sharad Pawar camp leader Ankush Kakade has made a statement on this, which is now drawing varied speculation.

Kakade praised Deshmukh's campaign. He said she had campaigned in a very disciplined manner and had not made remarks about anyone. She had met voters in a very positive way. The campaign did not rely on large advertisements, only on conversations with voters. According to Kakade, the party is now reaping the reward.

Kakade said the educated voter has now woken up. Such voters know how the government machinery is taken in hand, and people are now beginning to understand this. He said, "Our result has been a hundred per cent. We had fielded two candidates and both are on the verge of victory. The voters' mood is changing. Now we are looking ahead to 2029."

The Pawar camp's state president, Shashikant Shinde, also reacted to the results. He thanked all the voters of the state. Shinde said both of their candidates are leading, in Pune and Marathwada. According to him, the people of Marathwada and Pune still love Pawar. He said this is the result when educated and good candidates are fielded.

Shinde said the result would prove a turning point for them and that he is fully confident both candidates will win. He also said this was his first Legislative Council election since becoming state president. The win has come during his tenure and will inspire the party going forward.

According to Shinde, there was a different kind of atmosphere in Maharashtra. All their leaders had come to campaign, and allied parties had come as well. He said they had worked against Mahayuti and this result is the outcome of that.