Mumbai, Oct 24 (IANS): In probably an unprecedented instance in the nation's electoral history, Congress candidate Dhiraj V. Deshmukh won the Latur Rural constituency in Maharashtra, getting more votes than the 'None Of The Above' (NOTA) option, on Thursday.

His debut poll victory for the Maharashtra legislature attracted attention as he notched the third highest victory margin of 1,18,000 votes in the state, but over the 'NOTA' button on the EVMs.

Hailing from a well-known political clan, Dhiraj is the youngest son of late Chief Minister and Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, and his other siblings are Amit Deshmukh who has been re-elected for the third time from Latur City on a Congress ticket, and the third brother is Bollywood actor-producer Ritesh Deshmukh, besides an uncle Dilip Deshmukh, who is also a prominent state politician.

While Dhiraj Deshmukh secured around 1,31,000 votes, 26,800 votes were cast for NOTA, the Shiv Sena's Sachin Deshmukh, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Arjun Waghamare, and 12 other candidates stand to forfeit their election deposits.

Incidentally, like his popular father, Dhiraj also started his political career at the grassroots levels including the Zilla Parishad, served with the Indian Youth Congress and has now entered the Maharashtra Assembly.

"This victory has brought greater responsibilities on me and I pray for the continued support and blessings of my constituents to live up to their expectations," said Dhiraj after his unique victory.