Maharashtra, India: The NOTA (None of the Above) option received the third highest number of votes in Gadchiroli constituency during the Assembly election in Maharashtra. The area of Gadchiroli constituency is considered to be under influence of naxalite/ maoist movement.
The seat was won by Dr. Deorao Holi of BJP who defeated his nearest rival Bhagyashree Atram of NCP. Deorao Holi polled 70,185 votes while Atram got 18,280 votes. With 17,510 votes NOTA positioned at third place.
There was reportedly a large scale campaign by the OBCs and an organisation of non-tribals in the district before the elections to boycott the polls and vote for NOTA.
These organisations had distributed pamphlets among voters appealing them to boycott the polls.