The Congress, in association with the Maha Vikas Aghadi partners, has claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s traditional stronghold of Kasba Peth Assembly segment in Pune which went to by-poll on February 26. However, in the neighbouring Chinchwad bypoll, the BJP retained the seat beating the MVA candidate in a triangular contest.

BJP’S Ashwini Jagtap beat Nationalist Congress Party’s Nana Kate with a margin of over 40,000 votes. Independent Rahul Kalate finished third but ate into a sizeable share of the MVA. Both results were declared on Thursday in a competitive atmosphere that had its genesis in a fierce campaign and allegations of malpractice from both sides. Making it a matter of prestige, the BJP had put in all possible efforts in both segments, especially in Kasba Peth, where the MVA had promised to turn the tide.