Satej Patil's panel wins 14 of 25 seats in Gokul poll; Minister Hasan Mushrif's son Navid loses

The result of the election to the Gokul milk union in Kolhapur district is out. The panel led by Congress MLA Satej Patil won 14 of the 25 seats. The contest was watched closely across state politics.

On one side were three senior ministers of the ruling Mahayuti, two MPs and the Mahayuti MLAs of the district. On the other was Satej Patil, the lone Congress MLA. The prestige of the Chief Minister, both Deputy Chief Ministers, ministers, MPs and MLAs was said to be at stake. Mahayuti leaders put in their full strength together, while Patil put up a strong fight on behalf of the Opposition. The election thus did not remain confined to the milk union and became a battle of prestige between the ruling side and the Opposition.

The most talked-about outcome is the defeat of Navid Mushrif, son of Minister Hasan Mushrif. Navid is a former chairman of Gokul. Hasan Mushrif holds the reins of Gokul, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had given him full charge of this election. Some senior directors also lost along with Navid. Within the Mahayuti camp, the political meaning of the result is now being weighed, and it is also seen as important for future equations. Patil's strategy was decisive in the contest, and he is being seen as the kingmaker of the election.

During the campaign, Patil had said that a "bomb without a sound will go off". After the result, the remark was recalled in political circles. His supporters celebrated the win.

Minister Chandrakant Patil, speaking to the media after voting at Gokul, had said that the Mahayuti would win all 25 seats. All Mahayuti leaders had signalled with full confidence that they had a hold over Gokul. But the result shows that the voters holding resolutions brought the Mahayuti leaders down to earth.

Allegations of pressure on voters through oaths, sacred threads and bhandara spread on pictures of deities were also openly discussed during the election. Several responsible members spoke out openly against these oaths. In this atmosphere, the verdict of the resolution holders has become the most talked-about issue of the election.

The equations of power in Gokul will now be calculated afresh. With Patil's challenge to the combined strength of the Mahayuti, and the defeat of senior directors including Navid Mushrif, the district's political climate could take a different turn. All eyes are on what new equations emerge in Kolhapur politics after this election.