MUMBAI: Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), which dominated the Vasai region since 1990, lost in all of its three constituencies—Vasai, Nalasopara and Boisar. What made the defeats even bitter was a thin margin of 3,153 votes for the party’s president and six-term Vasai MLA Hitendra Thakur. He lost to BJP’s newcomer Sneha Dube, who polled 77,553 votes.
In Nalasopara, Thakur’s son, Kshitij, seeking a third term, fell short of 36,875 votes as BJP’s Rajan Naik secured 47% of the votes.
In Boisar, MLA Rajesh Patil faced his second defeat in six months. After his defeat in the LS poll from Palghar, he managed to win only 81,622 votes this time. His opponent, Vilas Tare of Shiv Sena, took away 45% of the 2.78 lakh votes.
Analysts called these outcomes predictable. Despite controlling Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation and backing Mahayuti in 2019, BVA failed to address key challenges, including water, transport and infrastructure issues. “Mira-Bhayander, Navi Mumbai and Panvel have developed but Vasai has remained backward,” said Virar social activist Mayuresh Wagh.
In 2009, Thakur decided against contesting and threw Narayan Mankar in the race. Mankar lost to tribal leader Vivek Pandit. In 2014 and 2019, Thakur won, taking away over 50% of the votes. He even announced his retirement, only to contest this year citing public demand.
During vote counting at Vasai and Nalasopara, the Thakurs were absent. VBA supporters dispersed as results emerged.
BVA grabbed headlines on Nov 19 after its workers surrounded BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde at a Virar hotel, alleging he was distributing money to party workers and voters.
Residents said the real victory will come after BVA is kept out of civic corridors. “They may have lost the state polls, but they continue to have their hold on the municipality,” said Nalasopara’s Rajesh Bhatia.