The BJP-led alliance has surged ahead in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections as per initial trends. Results from the polls for 29 municipal bodies in Maharashtra, held after a long hiatus of nearly nine years, are eagerly anticipated. In Mumbai’s BMC, the BJP is currently leading in 25 wards, while the Shiv Sena faction, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is ahead in nine wards.
The Thackeray cousins are also in the race, aiming to maintain their stronghold over the affluent civic body. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena is leading in 23 wards, with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena ahead in three wards. This brings the combined Thackeray camp’s tally to 26 wards. The battle for control over the BMC is crucial due to its significant political and financial influence.
The BMC, known for its massive annual budget exceeding Rs 74,400 crore, witnessed elections after a delay of four years. In Mumbai alone, 1,700 candidates contested for 227 seats, highlighting the intense competition among political parties. Exit polls had earlier suggested that the Thackeray factions might consolidate Maratha and Muslim votes, while the Congress was expected to maintain its influence in minority-dominated areas.
The civic polls in Maharashtra covered 2,869 seats across 893 wards in 29 bodies, with 3.48 crore eligible voters participating. Pune, another key battleground, saw an interesting political alignment with rival factions of the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar, coming together. The outcome in Pune is anticipated to provide insights into the NCP’s internal dynamics ahead of upcoming state and national elections. As the counting process continues, political parties are cautious, knowing that early leads can change. The final results will shape the local governance landscape of Maharashtra.
