Counting of votes for the elections to the posts of president and members in 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra began on Sunday with the BJP, Shiv Sena-Shinde managing to earn early leads against the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi constituents. The poll battle became multi-dimensional with the BJP-led Mahayuti and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) locking horns, interspersed by "friendly fights" among the alliances.
A turnout of 67.3 per cent was recorded in the polls of 263 local bodies held on December 2, while 47.04 per cent of voters exercised their franchise in the second phase of the elections in 23 local bodies on Saturday, the State Election Commission said.
Here are five latest updates that people of Maharashtra would like to know as the countring progresses:
1. The Indian National Congress flexed its muscles in the Balapur Municipal Council by winning 13 out of the total 25 seats, Sakal said in a report. The Vanchit Bahujan Party won six seats, while the BJP got only one seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) has won four seats, while an independent candidate has also emerged victorious. As Congress has won the majority, they will have a major influence in the Municipal Council.
2. In the Vita Municipality, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) single-handedly won 22 out of 26 seats and the mayoral post, Sakal reported. The BJP had to settle for only four seats. The victorious Shinde Sena group is elated, as the result has brought about a historic change of power in Vita after fifty years.
3. NCP candidate Ramchandra Aware has won the post of Mayor in the Bhor Municipal Corporation. He registered a landslide win by reportedly defeating his nearest rival by 170 votes.
4. In the Sillod Municipal Council, the Shinde Sena has reportedly managed a clean sweep. Abdul Sameer is currently leading for the post of Mayor, in a further boost to the Shinde camp, the Sakal report said.
5. The counting of votes in a total of eight wards has been finished in the Buldhana Municipal Council elections. Shiv Sena has secured a prominent position with 12 corporators, while NCP (Sharad Pawar) was also able to register a win here.
