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Counting of votes for Maharashtra’s local body elections began at 10 am on Sunday (December 21), setting the stage for results that are expected to give an early indication of grassroots political strength across the state.
Early trends in the Maharashtra civic elections are indicating a strong performance for the ruling alliance, which is currently leading in 224 local bodies. Bharatiya Janata Party is leading on 136 seats, while Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is leading on 53 seats. Meanwhile, as of 2 pm, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi is leading in 52 local bodies.
A total of 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats are involved in the elections. Voting took place in two phases on 2 December, with voters in urban and semi-urban areas voting. Visuals from several places including Mahabaleshwar showed voters standing in queues outside polling stations during the voting process.
Ahead of the results, senior BJP leader and minister of state Chandrakant Patil sounded confident in saying that the party was far ahead of its rivals. Speaking to news agency PTI, Patil said a possible alliance between Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray would also not have much impact on the BJP’s prospects.
“Organisationally and in terms of public support, the BJP has grown so much that even if Uddhav and Raj come together, it will not make any difference,” Patil was quoted as saying by PTI. He said even Congress contesting the elections alone would have no impact, claiming that the BJP was already “far ahead in the race.”
The results of the local body elections are being closely watched as they are seen as a barometer of public mood ahead of future state-level political contests. Counting of votes is ongoing and results are expected throughout the day.
(edited by : name lion,