BJP's Sneha Dube Pandit polled 93,745 votes in the Vasai-Virar constituency in Maharashtra and defeated her main rival, BVA candidate Hitendra Vishnu Thakur by a margin of 3,153 votes. BVA chief Hitendra Thakur reacted to his party defeat on Saturday, November 23, stating that the defeat will not deter them and his party remains committed to serving the people of Vasai with the same dedication as always.
Hitendra Thakur who was eyeing a seventh victory in the Vasai constituency, said "We are deeply grateful for the opportunity you have given us to serve tirelessly over the past 30-35 years. This journey has seen its share of highs and lows, but your unwavering support has always been our strength. Losing an election is not the end, just as winning one does not guarantee permanence. This electoral defeat will not deter us; we remain committed to serving you with the same dedication as always. Thank you for standing with us through the 2024 assembly elections. Your support means everything to us."
Thakur represented the seat between 1990 and 2009 as a Congress and Independent candidate. However, he lost to Vivek Pandit in 2009. Thakur later formed his own party and reclaimed the seat from Pandit in 2014.This time, Vasai witnessed a triangular contest between BJP's Sneha Dube, Congress's Vijay Patil, and BVA's Hitendra Thakur. Vijay Patil secured the third spot with an impressive 61,874 votes.Thakur's BVA has traditionally enjoyed a stronghold in the constituency, backed by significant grassroots support. This year’s Vasai assembly election featured seven candidates, with the spotlight on three main contenders: incumbent MLA and BVA leader Hitendra Thakur, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) secretary Vijay Patil, and BJP's Sneha Dube Pandit, a prominent leader of the Shramjivi Sanghatna. The outcome marks a major shift in Vasai, traditionally considered a stronghold of Thakur's party.