Pune: MLA Dilip Mohite-Patil, a prominent figure in Khed and close ally of NCP leader Ajit Pawar, faced a major political blow during the elections for the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Khed Taluka Agricultural Produce Market Committee held on Thursday, October 10.
As it became clear that Mohite's faction was set to lose, they chose not to participate, leading to an uncontested victory for their rivals.
The results of this election are expected to impact the upcoming assembly elections, particularly in Khed, where Mohite-Patil's hold has now weakened.
The opposition, which had managed to unite after a decade, was successful in defeating Mohite's faction, a scenario reminiscent of the 2014 assembly elections when a united opposition led to Mohite’s defeat.
Mohite’s dominance in the market committee had been slipping over the past year as three of his directors switched sides to join the opposition.
Although Mohite tried to halt the elections with a stay order, the opposition took the matter to the Bombay High Court, which ruled in their favor, allowing the elections to proceed.
In today's election, only four directors from Mohite’s camp appeared, confirming their defeat. As a result, Mohite's faction opted out of the contest, and the election was declared uncontested. Vijay Shinde was elected as Chairperson, and Kranti Somvanshi as Vice-Chairperson, both unopposed.
This election is seen as a major blow to Mohite’s political standing, with the market committee — a key power center in Khed — now under the control of his opponents. The opposition is now reinvigorated, claiming that they will replicate their success in the upcoming assembly elections, just as they did in 2014.
MLA Mohite’s previous defeat in 2014 occurred due to a united opposition, while in 2019, a fractured opposition allowed him to regain his seat. However, today’s loss signals growing opposition strength, which may challenge his dominance in future elections, including those for the district bank, district council, and taluka panchayat.
