Senior BJP leader Haribhau Bagde has been elected unopposed as the Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly. Shiv Sena candidate Vijay Avti and Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad have pulled out of the race at the last moment.

BJP’s victory was certain after the NCP decided not to take part in the election. Shiv Sena had expected to get the support of the Congress Party, which did not happen. However, Shiv Sena has decided to vote against the BJP government during the confidence motion later today.

Haribhau Bagde is a legislator from Phulambari in Aurangabad. He filed the nomination papers yesterday. He was a Cabinet Minister in previous Shiv Sena-BJP government in 1995-2000.