Belagavi: It has been a virtual rout for the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in the district with many of its candidates losing even their deposits these elections.
One of the most shocking defeats has been of sitting MLA from Belagavi South constituency and five time mayor, Sambhaji Patil, who received a mere 249 votes this time as against the 54,000 he had netted to win the last election.
One of the most popular leaders of Belagavi, Mr Patil was the MES candidate from Belagavi North constituency this time. Although he could not campaign owing to ill health, many MES and pro-Marathi organisation leaders, including NCP leader, Sharad Pawar canvassed for him.
Several other candidates backed by the MES also lost their deposits in Belagavi South, Belagavi Rural, Khanapur and Nipani. While sitting MLA Aravind Patil of Khanapur lost miserably, former MES MLA, Manohar Kinekar lost to Ms Laxmi Hebbalkar of the Congress in Belagavi by a huge margin of 51000 votes.
Not just MES candidates, but even others have fared poorly these elections. In fact, of the 2013 candidates in 18 constituencies of Belagavi district, 162 have lost their deposits.
Congress sitting MLA Feroze Sait, who was depending on Mr Sambhaji Patil for a division in BJP votes in Belagavi North, lost miserably as most Marathi voters rallied behind the saffron party.
The defeat of Mr Sambhaji Patil and other MES leaders could send a clear message to the Maharashtra government that the Marathi people of Belagavi are against its demand for its merger with it , say political analysts here.
