Counting for Maharashtra's 29 municipal corporations commenced at 10 AM on Friday, following the voting held on January 15. A total of 15,931 candidates contested across 893 wards, with their political fates now being decided. These elections are poised to be a pivotal moment in the state's urban political landscape, with particular attention focused on the results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), widely regarded as Asia's largest civic body. Initial trends have indicated a fierce competition among various political parties, with the BJP alliance showing leads in several key cities.
BJP Alliance Takes Early Lead in Mumbai
The election results for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are considered immensely significant for Maharashtra's political future, while with a total of 227 seats, a majority of 114 seats is required to form the administration. According to early trends, the BJP alliance is leading on 56 seats, while the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) alliance holds a lead on 29 seats. The Congress has secured a lead on 5 seats, and the NCP (Ajit faction) has yet to register any leads. In a notable development, Congress candidate Asha Kale secured the first declared victory in the BMC from Ward 182, marking an encouraging start for the party. The BMC elections saw the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena contesting in an. Alliance, with the BJP fielding candidates on 137 seats and the Shinde faction on 90 seats. On the opposing side, the Shiv Sena (UBT) formed an alliance with the MNS, where UBT contested 163 seats and MNS 52 seats. The Congress allied with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), with Congress candidates on 143 seats and VBA on 46 seats. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP contested independently on 94 seats.
Trends from Other Major Corporations
Beyond Mumbai, early counting trends are also emerging from other significant municipal. Corporations across Maharashtra, painting a broader picture of the state's political dynamics. In the Pune Municipal Corporation, which has a total of 165 seats and. Requires 83 for a majority, the BJP alliance is leading on 45 seats. The NCP alliance is ahead on 8 seats, and the Congress+UBT alliance on 4 seats, while the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and others have not yet secured any leads. In the Thane Municipal Corporation, with 131 total seats and a majority threshold of 66, the BJP alliance is leading on 24 seats. The NCP (Ajit faction) is ahead on 6 seats, the Uddhav Shiv Sena alliance on 9 seats, and the Congress on 1 seat, with one seat going to others. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation, comprising 151 seats and requiring 76 for a majority, shows a strong lead for the BJP alliance on 68 seats, while the Congress is ahead on 22 seats, while the Uddhav Shiv Sena alliance, NCP (Ajit), and NCP (Sharad) have not yet recorded any leads. In the Nashik Municipal Corporation, with 122 seats and a majority of 62, the BJP is leading on 8 seats, MVA+MAS on 5 seats, Shiv Sena-Shinde+NCP on 7 seats, and others on 2 seats. These trends collectively indicate that the BJP alliance is consolidating. Its position across several key urban centers in the state.
Political Reactions and Allegations
Amidst the ongoing vote counting, a flurry of sharp political statements and allegations has been exchanged among party leaders. Sanjay Shirsat, a minister from the Shiv Sena (Shinde) faction in the Maharashtra government, leveled serious accusations against the police, while he claimed that approximately 100 police personnel lathi-charged their workers as they approached the counting centers, leaving them severely injured. Shirsat demanded immediate action on the incident, stating that the police should demonstrate their strength against criminals, not party workers. He termed it a misuse of power and announced plans to file an MLC against the police. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil expressed confidence that the public is observing their work and not relying on election speeches. He questioned the Shiv Sena (UBT) on why they didn't undertake development work earlier if they intended to. Patil asserted that his government had done significant work even during the two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemic. He further stated that any alliance between the Thackeray brothers or the Congress and NCP wouldn't be in the public interest, but rather for their own selfish motives. Patil predicted that the BJP would secure 90 seats and the Shiv Sena (Shinde) 40 seats in Mumbai, with these numbers potentially increasing, and claimed no less than 115 seats for them in Pune, while shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also raised serious allegations, describing the voting pattern in a city like Mumbai as a grave matter. Raut claimed that thousands of names, including those who voted in the assembly elections, were missing from areas where Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, or Congress have influence. He also alleged that EVM machines weren't functioning properly and that the Election Commission was unwilling to hear their concerns.
Raut accused senior BJP leaders and Election Commission staff of holding a meeting on. Thursday, questioning its legitimacy given that the code of conduct was still in effect. He further pointed out that exit polls were released even before the voting percentages were announced, and the BJP had already begun celebrating its victory. Raut urged people not to be intimidated. In response, Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Shaina NC stated that the exit poll results were merely a trailer and the true picture would become clear within two hours. She expressed confidence in the Mahayuti's victory, attributing it to the work done by their leaders. Shaina NC criticized Uddhav Thackeray, suggesting he should change his scriptwriter, as he repeatedly talks about the misuse of ink, the Election Commission, and money every two hours. She emphasized that in a democracy, the public decides who wins or loses.
The Delayed BMC Elections and Their Significance
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections were held after a four-year delay, further amplifying their political complexity and importance. Municipal corporation elections are typically held every five years, with the last BMC election taking place in 2017, meaning the next one was due in 2022. However, during that period, electoral processes and ward boundaries were undergoing changes. New ward maps and the redrawing of seats were in progress, including a proposal to increase the number of wards in the BMC from 227 to 236. Due to these proposed changes, it wasn't feasible to conduct elections on the old seats, leading to the postponement of the polls. However, this proposal was ultimately not passed. The BMC election isn't merely a civic body election; it's a battle for control over Mumbai's power. This is why it has become a matter of prestige for both the. Mahayuti (BJP-Shinde Shiv Sena alliance) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (Uddhav Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP alliance). With an annual budget of Rs 74,000 crore, the BMC stands as Asia's largest civic body. The undivided Shiv Sena had governed it from 1997 to 2017, with the BJP as its ally for a significant period. The budget of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation is larger than that of several. Indian states, including Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. This immense financial and administrative power is precisely what drives all major political parties, including the BJP, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, Congress, Sharad Pawar, and Ajit Pawar, to strengthen their hold over this crucial institution.
Exit Poll Predictions and Voter Turnout
Just a day before the vote counting, three exit polls had predicted a majority for the BJP alliance in the BMC elections. Mumbai is divided into 227 wards, and a majority of 114 seats is required. According to these exit polls, the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena were projected to secure between 130 and 150 seats, while the Congress alliance was estimated to win around 60 seats. Other parties were expected to account for 5 to 7 seats. The counting process is currently underway at 23 centers, with votes being tallied under strict security. Officials reported that the BMC elections recorded a total voter turnout of 52. 94%, which is slightly lower than the 55. 53% turnout observed in the 2017 elections. This reduced voter participation could be a point of concern for political parties, as lower turnouts often lead to unpredictable outcomes. However, the final results will ultimately clarify which party the people of Mumbai have placed their trust in.
