In the Pune Division Graduates’ constituency, BJP’s Smita Jadhav (centre) lost to NCP(SP) candidate Harshada Deshmukh. (File Photo)

The Congress lost ground in western Maharashtra after it failed to retain a seat in the state Legislative Council on Wednesday, with the BJP defeating its candidate. However, its alliance partner NCP (SP) retained its seat by defeating the BJP.

BJP’s Kaustubh Gawade secured the highest number of votes in the Pune Division Teachers’ constituency, defeating sitting Congress MLC Jayant Asgaonkar, who dropped to the fourth position. Independents Sachin Sanap and Datta Samant finished second and third, respectively.…