India, Oct. 19 -- The counting of votes in the high-stakes Gokul Milk Union election in Kolhapur has intensified the contest between the ruling Mahayuti-backed panel and the alliance led by MLA Satej Patil. After three of the seven counting rounds, Mahayuti candidates were leading in 14 seats, while six candidates from Patil's Rajarshi Shahi Shetkari alliance held the lead in the general category.

The latest figures have drawn attention to several senior Mahayuti leaders, including former Gokul president Arun Dongle, who was trailing along with Ashok Charti, Pratap Patil Kawanekar, S. R. Patil, Amar Patil and Karnisnh Gaikwad.

With reports of cross-voting and more than 200 invalid votes, the remaining rounds could still change the pictu...