Abu Azmi's son loses Bhiwandi East Assembly by-election to Shiv Sena

Mumbai, Jan. 23 (ANI): Farhan Azmi, the son of SP leader Abu Asim Azmi, on Saturday lost the Bhiwandi East Assembly by-election to his closest rival, Shiv Sena candidate Rupesh Mhatre.

Samajwadi Party MP Amar Singh, who recently resigned from all posts in the organisation, had come especially to campaign for Farhan.

While Mhatre got 35,376 votes, Azmi polled 33,700 in the January 20 by-election necessitated by Abu Azmi's resignation from the seat.

He had won from two constituencies, Mankhurd in Mumbai and Bhiwandi East, in the October 2009 elections, and vacated the latter.

Mhatre's victory has come as a birthday gift for Sena supremo Bal Thackeray, who turned 84 on Saturday.

Sena has wrested the seat dominated by members of the minority community.

Congress candidate Muzaffar Hussain finished third after bagging 24,418 votes.

Yogesh Patil of Shiv Sena had won the seat in 2004, but it was snatched by the SP last year. (ANI)