BMC Elections: BJP Alliance Takes Early Lead in Mumbai's Civic Battle
Early Trends from the BMC Elections
New Delhi: Initial trends indicate that the BJP-led coalition is gaining momentum in the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, as vote counting commenced on Friday for civic polls throughout Maharashtra.
These results are highly anticipated, marking the first elections for 29 municipal bodies in nearly nine years.
Current leads show the BJP alliance is ahead in 34 wards within Mumbai's BMC, with the Bharatiya Janata Party leading in 25 wards and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena leading in nine.
The Thackeray cousins are closely contesting, aiming to maintain their influence over the wealthiest civic body in India.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is currently leading in 23 wards, while Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is ahead in three, bringing the combined Thackeray camp total to 26 wards. This election is viewed as a significant prestige battle, especially in Mumbai, where control over the BMC holds considerable political and financial power.
The BMC, with an annual budget surpassing Rs 74,400 crore, conducted elections after a four-year delay. A total of 1,700 candidates competed for 227 seats in Mumbai, highlighting the fierce competition among political factions.
Exit polls had suggested that the Thackeray factions might consolidate support from Maratha and Muslim voters, while the Congress was anticipated to maintain its presence in minority-dominated areas.
Statewide, polling took place on Thursday for 2,869 seats across 893 wards in 29 civic bodies, with approximately 3.48 crore voters eligible to participate in deciding the fate of 15,931 candidates.
Pune also emerged as a significant battleground, witnessing an unusual political alliance between the rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Rajya Sabha MP Sharad Pawar, for the municipal elections. The results in Pune are expected to provide crucial insights into the shifting power dynamics within the NCP ahead of upcoming state and national elections.
As counting continues, political parties are exercising caution, as early leads may change. The final results are poised to influence the local governance landscape in Maharashtra.