By Tannistha Dey
Along with the results of 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, the counting of votes for the TMC elections is underway; it’s a crucial day in the state’s civic political scenario. Early trends indicate that the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena is leading in 14 seats, while his ally, the BJP, is leading in 11 seats, suggesting an intense contest in Thane.
The elections to these municipal corporations were held on Thursday, January 15, across major urban centres of Maharashtra, such as Thane, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Navi Mumbai, Nashik and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Reports can be expected to keenly await the outcome of this civic election, for it would apparently bring in a possible variation in their perception of voters ahead of future state and national elections.
In Thane, BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena participated in the elections as allies while pitted against an Opposition alliance consisting of Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Meanwhile, the poll dynamic varies in Pune, where Ajit Pawar’s NCP, the Congress, and the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi have opted for a solo run, adding another layer of diversity to civic poll results in the state.