Nashik election results: Hemant Godse gets re-elected

NASHIK: After a gap of 48 long years Shiv Sena candidate Hemant Godse is about to break the jinx of getting re-elected for second consecutive time from the Nashik parliamentary constituency that too by a convincing margin.


The last time an MP was re-elected was in 1971 when Bhanudas Kavde of Congress managed to retain his seat.

The Sena MP — who has been making his presence felt in all corners of the district by carrying out various developmental activities right from undertaking quality survey of roads of Nashik with the help of ISRO, to ensuring Nashik getting space in UDAAN, to bringing Rajdhani Express via Central Railway route — was leading right from round one.

At the end of round 18, Godse bagged 4.42 lakh votes and was leading by 2.18 lakh votes against his closest rival Sameer Bhujbal from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

At the time of going to the press, Godse was leading by 2.36 lakh votes at the end of 19th round. The fight in Nashik constituency was four cornered given the BJP rebel Manik Kokate and Vanchit Bhaujan Aghadi (VBA) candidate Pawan Pawar jumping in fray.

Kokate, hailing from Sinnar and who has been in Congress before joining the BJP, was willing to contest the election from Nashik on BJP’s ticket despite Sena having the claim over seat. Since he did not get it, he decided to contest as an independent and this was likely to affect votes for Godse.

While Kotake attempted to cut down votes in Godse’s favour, Pawan Pawar drew the votes going in favour of the NCP candidate Bhujbal.

“Eventually, it was like Kokate versus Pawar and Godse versus Bhujbal, in which Godse reigned supreme, and emerged stronger than ever before,” a political observer said.

Speaking to reporters, Godse thanked the citizens for voting for him. “I thank the people of Nashik and the country for showing faith in the Narendra Modi government. Once elected, I will also take ahead unfinished agenda of bringing industries, employment and investment to the region. In my second stint I would like to also focus on agriculture for this agriculture-dominated region,” Godse said.

Bhujbal, accepting his defeat, congratulated Godse saying he and his party would continue to be with the people and work for them with the same vigour as they did in the past.

“We accept defeat. The development of Nashik had stopped completely since 2014. We therefore contested the elections. But we accept the verdict. We will again be fighting shoulder to shoulder with the citizens,” Bhujbal said.