BJP Claims Urban Stronghold in Maharashtra Civic Elections
The Bharatiya Janata Party has established a commanding presence across urban Maharashtra. Results from twenty-eight municipal corporations, excluding Mumbai, reveal a clear pattern of BJP dominance. The party secured outright majorities or finished as the single largest party in numerous civic bodies. This outcome underscores the BJP's strengthening grip on the state's urban political landscape.
Mixed Verdict with Clear Frontrunner
While the BJP celebrated widespread success, other parties managed to hold their ground in specific regions. The Congress party, both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, and several local parties won seats in select pockets. The overall verdict, however, points decisively toward BJP supremacy in Maharashtra's cities and towns.
Workers for the BJP erupted in celebration at the party's city office on DP Road in Pune on Friday. Their joy mirrored the party's performance across the state.
City-by-City Breakdown of Key Results
Here is a detailed look at how major municipal corporations voted:
- Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The BJP became the single largest party in the 115-member body, winning 58 seats. AIMIM followed with 33 seats.
- Navi Mumbai: Minister Ganesh Naik led the BJP to a clear majority, securing 66 of 111 seats.
- Vasai-Virar: The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi, led by former MLA Hitendra Thakur, returned to power with 71 of 115 seats. The BJP won the remaining 44.
- Kalyan-Dombivli: The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 55 seats. Its alliance partner, the BJP, won 51 seats in the 122-member corporation.
- Kolhapur: Congress emerged as the single largest party with 35 seats. However, the ruling Mahayuti alliance secured a combined majority.
- Nagpur: The BJP was leading on 102 seats in the 151-member body, poised for a clear majority. Congress finished second with 33 seats.
- Solapur: The BJP registered a sweeping victory, winning 87 of 102 seats.
- Amravati: The BJP became the single largest party with 25 seats in the 87-member civic body.
- Akola: The BJP finished on top with 36 of 80 seats, followed by Congress with 21.
- Nashik: The BJP secured a clear majority with 72 of 122 seats.
- Pimpri-Chinchwad: The BJP won a convincing victory, securing 84 of 128 seats.
- Pune: The BJP managed a comprehensive win in the 165-member corporation, capturing 123 seats.
- Thane: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde retained control of his home turf, with his Shiv Sena winning 50 of 131 seats. Alliance partner BJP won 30.
- Chandrapur: Congress emerged as the single largest party with 32 of 66 seats. The BJP, which previously controlled the corporation, was reduced to 23 seats.
- Latur: Congress won a clear majority, securing 43 of 70 seats.
- Mira-Bhayandar: The BJP registered a big win by securing 78 of 95 seats.
- Nanded-Waghala: The BJP crossed the majority mark with 45 of 81 seats under the leadership of Ashok Chavan.
Smaller Corporations Also Reflect BJP Strength
The trend of BJP dominance extended to smaller municipal corporations as well.
- In Ulhasnagar, the BJP edged past ally Shinde-led Shiv Sena, winning 37 seats to the Sena's 36.
- In Parbhani, Shiv Sena (UBT) emerged as the single largest party with 25 seats.
- In Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Congress emerged as the single largest party with 30 seats, but Congress and NCP-SP are set to form the civic body.
- In Malegaon, the local party ISLAM won 35 seats, followed by AIMIM with 21.
- In Panvel, the BJP won a clear majority with 55 of 78 seats.
- In Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 39 of 78 seats.
- In Jalgaon, the BJP secured a majority with 46 of 75 seats.
- In Ahilyanagar, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats, with ally BJP winning 25.
- In Dhule, the BJP won a clear majority with 50 of 74 seats.
- In Jalna, the newly formed corporation saw the BJP secure a clear majority with 41 of 65 seats.
- In Ichalkaranji, another newly formed corporation, the BJP won a clear majority with 43 of 65 seats.
The electoral map of urban Maharashtra now shows a distinct saffron hue. The BJP's performance across diverse regions signals a consolidated urban vote in its favor. Opposition parties, while showing resilience in certain areas, face the challenge of countering this widespread BJP influence in the state's civic bodies.
