Sudhir Tambe wins Nashik divisional graduates seat of Maharashtra Legislative Council

Congress rebel Sudhir Tambe, who contested as an independent in the bye-election held for the Nashik divisional graduate constituency of Maharashtra Legislative Council, won the seat defeating BJP candidate Prasad Hiray, official sources said today.

The results of the by-poll held on December 18 in 403 polling booths spread over districts of Nashik, Ahmednagar, Nandurbar, Dhule and Jalgaon, were announced last night.

Tambe polled 42,251 votes while his opponent Prasad Hiray got 32,428 votes. Cong-NCP candidate Nitin Thakare remained at the third position, sources said.

The by-poll has been necessitated following the resignation of BJP's Pratapdada Sonawane after his election to the Lok Sabha from Dhule in the April polls.

Apart from Thakare and Hiray seven other candidates, including four Independents, were in the fray.