Maharashtra has been on edge since morning for the counting of votes for the local body elections. Protests and blockades ensued various allegations. Amid all this, counting began. In early trends, the Mahayuti of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP is ahead in the Municipal Corporation and Panchayat elections. The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is on its way to get a drubbing.
Elections were held in 246 Municipal Corporations and 42 Panchayats on December 2. According to early trends, Mahayuti is ahead in 214 Panchayats and Municipal Corporations, while the Maha Vikas Aghadi is ahead in 52.
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Mahayuti to get thumping win
Out of a total of 6,859 seats, the BJP is at the doorstep of victory in 3,120. Shiv Sena is ahead in around 600 seats, and NCP has taken the lead in around 200 seats. On the other hand, Shiv Sena (UBT) is ahead in 145 seats, Congress is leading in 105, and NCP (SP) is ahead in 122 seats.
As news of being ahead in early trends emerged, Maharashtra Minister Chandrakant Patil said, "BJP is ahead due to organisational strength and public support. Even if the opposition unites, there will be no change in the municipal election results."
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Mahayuti's chariot goes on
Mahayuti won the 2024 assembly elections by a huge margin. However, a section of political analysts had expected a close fight in local elections. The opposition had been vocal about the farmers' crisis in Maharashtra. They had also talked about partial payment to women and farmers in government schemes. It was assumed that this would also impact the voting. However, nothing of that sort was seen in reality.
