BJP sweeps Maharashtra local body elections, opposition alliance collapses

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra is still in favour of the Mahayuti alliance, which won the 2024 assembly elections and retained power. The state's ruling BJP-led Mahayuti party has made a huge breakthrough in the two-phase local body elections. Elections were held for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats. As the counting of votes progresses, the BJP is leading in 3,120 of the 6,859 seats.

The Mahayuti parties, Shiv Sena, are leading in 600 seats and NCP in 200. The opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi, failed to make much headway. Shiv Sena (Uddhav): 145, Congress: 105, NCP (Sharat Pawar): 122

The disappointment of the Mahayuti not providing the assistance to the farmers, promised in the assembly elections, was not reflected in the local body elections. There was no attempt by the opposition to campaign on these and put the government on the defensive.

In Vidarbha and Marathwada, Congress leaders campaigned vigorously, but Shiv Sena (Uddhav) leaders were not active. NCP (Sharat Pawar) leaders were confined to their constituencies. Mahayuti allies clashed in some places. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar led the campaign for the ruling Mahayuti.

The victory will give the Mahayuti confidence to face the Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections due next month. Voting for 263 municipal councils and nagar panchayats was held on December 2 and 286 on December 20.

Gratitude to the people. The leaders and workers worked hard. Maharashtra has not seen such a success in 30-35 years.- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis