NCP candidate for Satara Lok Sabha bypoll Shriniwas Patil, who has taken an unassailable lead over BJP nominee Udayanraje Bhosale, on Thursday attributed the outcome to Bhosale "betraying" his party's chief Sharad Pawar.
Patil said people of Satara were not happy with Bhosale, a descendant of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji, betraying Pawar by quitting the NCP and resigning as the party's MP last month to join the ruling BJP.
"Pawar Saheb had fielded him from Satara Lok Sabha seat, respecting the throne. But Bhosale deserted the party few months after the election. He betrayed Pawar Saheb. Hence, the people voted him out," Patil said.
Patil said 79-year-old Pawar's speech in Satara amid rain on October 18 also created sympathy for the NCP in the Lok Sabha constituency.
He also said that the poll result has given him the "biggest joy".
According to trends made available by the Election Commission till now, Patil has secured 5,63,877 votes, while Bhosale received 4,79,201 votes.