Mumbai, 21 December (H.S.): The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance dominated Maharashtra's local body elections, securing victories or leads in 218 of 288 municipal councils and nagar panchayats, with BJP emerging as the single largest party at 127 bodies.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) managed only 53, comprising Congress (36), Shiv Sena (UBT) (9), and NCP (SP) (8).
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the team effort on a development plank, crediting positive campaigning without criticizing rivals.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde called it a trailer for January 15 municipal corporation polls, praising Shiv Sena's strike rate in 54 bodies.
BJP state chief Ravindra Chavan attributed youth support to Fadnavis's leadership for Viksit Maharashtra.
Key Regional Highlights
Latur District: BJP won presidents' posts in four of five bodies (Udgir, Ahmedpur, Nilanga, Renapur); NCP took Ausa.
Osmanabad (Dharashiv): Mahayuti swept; BJP clinched Murum (19/20 wards, president Bapurao Patil), Tuljapur (18/23, Vinod Gangane), Naldurg (10/20, Basavaraj Dharne); Shinde Sena took Umarga (12/25, Kiran Gaikwad), Kalamb (Sunanda Kapse), Paranda (Zakir Saudagar).
Nashik: Shinde Sena led with five of 11 mayoral posts.
Sindhudurg (Rane Face-off): Nilesh Rane's front won Kankavli presidency despite BJP's eight seats; mixed family results in Malvan.
Satara: BJP secured five of 10 district council presidents.
Chandrapur/Sangli: Congress held Brahmapuri (21/23 seats); NCP(SP) took Urun-Ishwarpur (23 seats).
Three BJP candidates won unopposed: Dondaicha (Dhule), Angar (Solapur), Jamner. MVA conceded defeat, alleging EC bias and money-muscle power; Congress's Harshwardhan Sapkal and Shiv Sena(UBT)'s Ambadas Danve criticized the process. Violence marred polling in Ambernath (lathi-charge, 208 women detained). Counting covered 286 bodies post two-phase polls (Dec 2/20, 63-67% turnout).
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
