Piyush M Padwale
The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is experiencing a high-stakes contest after a four-year delay, with the outcome expected to reshape the political structure.
The last TMC elections were held on 21 February, 2017. Back then, Shiv Sena was the single largest party, earning 67 seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party won 34 seats. The Bharatiya Janata Party won three seats, and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen won two seats. Two Independent candidates were also elected as corporators.
This time, the face-off between the ruling Mahayuti Alliance and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is the most closely watched civic poll in the state.
Voting, Counting Schedule, and Expected Result Timings
Voting was held on Thursday, January 15, along with elections for several other municipal corporations across Maharashtra. The voting was held between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm.
The counting of votes is going to be done today, Friday, January 16, around 10 am. Reports suggest early trends are expected by late morning. Subsequently, the final results shall be announced by the afternoon.
Key words to watch out for
Thane comprises 131 seats, with several wards attracting particular attention. Traditionally, Wagle Estate is considered to be a strong area for Eknath Shinde. Oppositions have accused authorities of being biased, given that a lot of their nominations were rejected here.
Furthermore, the Mumbra-Kalwa region will also prove to be an important test for the NCP (SP), for it tries to defend Ahwad’s influence against the ruling alliance. On the other hand, in the heart of Thane lies Naupada-Panchapakhadi, where the newly formed Thackeray-Thackeray partnership will be put to the test among the Marathi-speaking voters.
Meanwhile, with its modern high-rise clusters, Ghodbunder Road continues to be a BJP-dominated zone where discussions around water supply issues and traffic congestion play a huge role.
Why this election is important for Eknath Shinde
For Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Thane isn’t just any other municipality. It is considered to be his political home ground. For his faction of the Shiv Sena, this is a matter of prestige, and the Mahayuti Alliance will definitely work towards retaining a firm grip on the corporation.
The Shiv Sena’s Shinde faction and the BJP have finalised their seat-sharing formula, while the BJP targets densely populated urban pockets and residential complexes.
However, a weak outcome could further raise questions within the Mahayuti Alliance and potentially boost the opposition for future contests.