The Shiv Sena today retained the Thane Lok Sabha seat with its candidate Anand Paranjpe defeating Nationalist Congress Party candidate Sanjeev Naik by 86,565 votes.
Anand, son of Sena MP Prakash Paranjpe whose death in February necessitated the bypolls, took an early lead over Naik and maintained it throughout.
Soon after the results were declared, jubilant Sena supporters shouted slogans outside the Agriculture Produce Market Commitee premises in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, where the counting took place.
Sanjeev Naik is the son of state minister Ganesh Naik. Senior NCP leaders had campaigned hard but their efforts proved futile as the Sena managed to retain the seat, party's traditional stronghold.
The bypolls, which were held on May 22, witnessed a low turnout.
