Shiv Sena candidate Kiran Sarnaik has been re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council from the Amravati Division Teachers' Constituency for the second consecutive term, defeating his nearest rival Aditi Pohare of the Congress party. Sarnaik secured the required number votes through the counting of first and second preferences in the fourth round. In the last election, Sarnaik had contested as an Independent. Sarnaik secured 16,663 votes while Pohare polled 8,636. Shrikant Deshpande, former MLC and a Shiv Sena rebel, finished third with 7,017 votes.

 

The counting of votes had begun at 8 am on Tuesday at Lokshahi Bhavan in Amravati and continued for nearly 33 hours. The quota required for victory was fixed at 16,134 votes. As no candidate could reach the stipulated quota during the first-preference count, counting of second-preference votes was undertaken. Sarnaik dominanted the election right from the begining of counting and took a commaning lead in the first round of first preferencial votes itself. He eventually crossed the winning mark after the 24th elimination round, sealing his victory.

 

As Sarnaik’s lead became clear, supporters gathered at the counting venue and celebrated his win. Sarnaik was also present along with his family members. Sarnaik’s consecutive victory strengthens the Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s position in the Amravati Division Teachers’ Constituency while the Congress will have to assess the reasons behind its defeat. The outcome also underlines the inability of the rebel candidates and teachers’ organisation nominees to dislodge the incumbent in a contest involving 26 candidates.