BEST Election 2025 Result: Litmus Test Turns Setback As Thackeray Brothers Face Major Defeat

Last Updated:August 20, 2025, 10:27 IST

Contrary to predictions of close contest, Shashank Rao’s panel secured a decisive victory, winning 14 seats, while ruling Mahayuti-backed Sahakar Samruddhi panel managed only seven

Raj and Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai rally | Image: X

The results of the BEST Employees’ Co-operative Credit Society Election 2025 have sent shockwaves across Mumbai’s political circles. What was widely seen as a litmus test for the Thackeray brothers — Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray — ended in an unexpected defeat, reshaping the balance of power in the influential society. The elections were held on August 18, and after intense counting that stretched past midnight on Tuesday, the final results were declared. Contrary to predictions of a close contest, Shashank Rao’s panel secured a decisive victory, winning 14 seats, while the ruling Mahayuti-backed Sahakar Samruddhi panel managed only seven. The Thackeray brothers’ joint panel, Utkarsh, failed to win even a single seat, marking a dramatic setback.

For the past nine years, the Thackeray-led panel had maintained an unbroken dominance over the society. This year, however, the results proved otherwise. For many, this election was about more than just controlling the society — it was seen as a rehearsal for the upcoming BMC elections, where the Thackeray brothers are yet to finalise whether they will extend their alliance. Their coming together for this poll was closely watched, as it was the first significant political collaboration between the two factions after years of rivalry.

Political observers note that the Rao panel’s victory was built on years of grassroots connect with BEST workers, regular engagement with trade unions, and timely interventions in resolving employees’ grievances and legacy of his late father and labour union leader Sharad Rao. This strong organisational base appealed to over 15,000 voters, who chose to back Rao’s panel instead of aligning with either the Thackrays or the Mahayuti.

Suhas Samant, President, BEST Kamgar Sena (UBT), accused the BJP of using money and influence in BEST election. “The results of the BEST Co-operative Credit Society elections are out. We have lost, but I congratulate those who have won. Now you may ask, how did this happen when twelve thousand employees were with me? Over the past week, there was a huge flow of money. We thought employees might accept the money but still vote for us. But against money power, we fell short. I have worked hard to save BEST, but the BJP used both money and their influence. We fell behind in terms of outreach and financial power. What surprises me is that a party like the BJP puts such a massive machinery even into a co-operative credit society election. They do whatever it takes to get what they want — for that, one must acknowledge both their effort and the fear it creates," Samant said.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders were quick to react to this election result. Navnath Ban, BJP Spokesperson while speaking this reporter said, “In the BEST Credit Society elections, UBT and its allies have suffered a humiliating defeat. Not a single candidate of UBT managed to win. For many, this result is nothing short of a referendum delivered by Mumbaikars ahead of the BMC elections. Importantly, these polls were conducted on ballot papers, not EVMs. Which means Sanjay Raut has no scope to cry foul with his usual excuses of “EVM manipulation, rigging, or conspiracy. So, the big question is — Sanjay Raut, who lectures the media daily about the sanctity of democracy, will you respect this democratic verdict of Mumbai, or will you stay silent with your finger on your lips? Answer the people!"

We did try to speak with Thackeray brother’s panel but didn’t not get any response. Meanwhile, within the Sahakar Samruddhi camp, the results brought mixed fortunes. Of the seven winning candidates, four belonged to the BJP’s Prasad Lad group, two to Shinde Sena’s Kiran Pawaskar group, and one represented the OBC Welfare Union.

The Thackeray brothers’ failure to secure even a single seat is now being widely interpreted as a major political embarrassment. Their attempt to demonstrate unity and test public sentiment before the municipal polls has backfired. With the BMC elections around the corner, this outcome raises serious questions about the future of their alliance and their ability to pose a formidable challenge to the ruling coalition in Mumbai.

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