BJP and Allies Secure Major Victory in Maharashtra Local Body Elections
Significant Win for the Ruling Alliance
In the recent local body elections in Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti coalition achieved a remarkable victory. The alliance, comprising the BJP, the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, and the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, secured the presidency in 207 out of 288 municipal councils and panchayats, maintaining their dominance. The BJP emerged as the largest party within the coalition, claiming 117 presidencies, marking a significant milestone in the elections.
One of the most talked-about outcomes was in the Kamthi Municipal Council of Nagpur district, where the BJP ended a 40-year wait for victory. BJP candidate Ajay Agrawal triumphed over Congress's Shakur Nagani, not only securing the presidency but also dismantling a stronghold of the Congress party.
A Thrilling Election in Kamthi
The election for the Kamthi Municipal Council presidency was filled with suspense until the very end. Initially, the Congress candidate held a lead during the early counting stages. However, in a dramatic turn during the final round, the BJP clinched the victory. Ajay Agrawal won by a narrow margin of just 103 votes against Shakur Nagani. Following the defeat, Nagani alleged irregularities in the election results.
Controversy Surrounds the Election Campaign
The Kamthi assembly seat garnered significant attention due to intense verbal exchanges between candidates, which escalated into allegations of electoral fraud as the campaign progressed. The controversy began when former MLC Sulekha Kumbhare fielded Ajay Kadam from her Bahujan Republican Unity Front (BRUF) party, seeking support from the BJP. Kumbhare has maintained a cordial relationship with BJP leaders, particularly Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who often refers to her as his sister. Despite the BJP's enthusiasm for a sweeping victory, they chose to back Agrawal instead of forming an alliance. Meanwhile, the Congress party, despite internal disputes over ticket allocations, proceeded to nominate its candidate.