Sat Nov 23 12:12:41 UTC 2024: ## NCP’s Zeeshan Siddique Loses Vandre East in Maharashtra Election Sweep

**Mumbai, India –** Zeeshan Siddique, NCP leader and son of the late politician Baba Siddique, lost his bid for re-election in the Vandre East constituency of Mumbai. His defeat comes amidst a resounding victory for the Mahayuti coalition, which swept the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Varun Sardesai of the Shiv Sena (UBT), nephew of Uddhav Thackeray, secured the Vandre East seat, defeating Siddique by over 11,000 votes (57,000 to 46,000). Siddique, who joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP last month, conceded the election on X (formerly Twitter), thanking his supporters and pledging continued service to the constituency.

Siddique’s loss marks a significant shift from his 2019 victory as a Congress member. He was expelled from the Congress earlier this year following allegations of cross-voting in legislative council elections and had previously accused the Maha Vikas Aghadi of abandoning him and his father after Baba Siddique’s death.

The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar faction of NCP, achieved a dominant performance. The BJP won 132 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and NCP 41. In contrast, the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP secured only 10 seats, and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi won a combined 46 seats.

Elsewhere, the coalition government in Jharkhand, led by Hemant Soren, is projected to win a significant majority. Results are also being declared for by-elections across 15 states.

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