Congress nominee wins Yavatmal assembly by-poll by 15,233 votes

By-election was necessitated following death of Congress legislator Nilesh Parwekar in road accident

The ruling Congress party in Maharashtra on Wednesday heaved a sigh of relief as the party nominee Nandini Parwekar won by a margin of 15,233 votes defeating the BJP candidate Madan Yerawar in the by elections held for the Yavatmal assembly constituency in Vidarbha region.

The byelection was necessitated following the death of Congress legislator Nilesh Parwekar in the road accident.Nandini Parwekar, a wife of late Nilesh Parwekar, bagged 62,509 votes against 47,276 votes by Yerawar.

Congress was worried over the low turn our during the polling. Besides, the party was unsure of getting support from the co-partner Nationalist Congress Party and various factions within the party. However, state party chief Manikrao Thakre told Business Standard "The party candidate has won. I camped for more than 10 days in the constituency and approached voters."

Thakre was quite critical about NCP's role as he has been criticizing the latter for joining hands with saffron parties to keep Congress out of power in Yavatmal and other districts during local and civic body elections.

Congress leader, who did not want to be identified, admitted that the faction ridden Yavatmal unit of the party was totally disorganised.

"Earlier, it was under impression that Nandini will sail through smoothly especially on the sympathy wave as she has lost her husband. However, various factions in a bid to settle scores against Manikrao Thakre joined hands with NCP and even with BJP. Ultimately, the party nominee won."