BJP candidate Bhimrao Tapkir won the Khadakwasla Assembly bypoll on Monday in what is the first victory for the new BJP-Shiv Sena-RPI alliance. Tapkir defeated NCP candidate Harshada Wanjale,the wife of the late MNS Ramesh Wanjale whose death had necessitated the bypoll. Tapkir polled 59,634 votes as against 56,009 votes for Wanjale,a margin of 3,625 votes. The defeat is a major setback for Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar who had invited Wanjales wife to join the NCP. As expected,the saffron alliance,which had tied up with RPI recently,is touting the victory as a signal of the impending change ahead of the February civic polls across the state. City BJP chief Vikas Matkari called it a historical moment for the party and said BJPs janshakti toppled Ajit Pawars dadagiri in the area. He said even as NCP had roped in Wanjale to rake in sympathy votes,the people had clearly voted for a change. This win is definitely setting off a change ahead of the civic poll, Matkari told mediapersons after the results were announced. BJP MLA Girish Bapat said all factors,including Anna Hazare campaign against the ruling Congress-NCP,played a role in the win. Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe said cooperation from each and every party member from the alliance helped secure a difficult victory. RPIs Parshuram Wadekar attributed the victory to RPI joining the saffron alliance and all the Dalit votes having come into the saffron alliances kitty. After trailing for six rounds,Tapkir came from behind to lead from the seventh round onwards. Wanjale made a comeback in the 21st round onwards,but all it could do was reduce Tapkirs victory margin a bit. Wanjale,incidentally,was conspicuous by her absence at the counting centre and NCP members started leaving as Tapkir consolidated his lead. Tapkir who came all covered in red colour and garlands thanked voters as well as his party. He also maintained the party line that it was janshakti overpowering Ajit Pawars dadagiri.
