The political fate of 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra will be decided today as vote counting begins at 10 am. This electoral exercise, conducted in two phases, serves as a crucial political barometer for the state, setting the stage for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other major municipal corporation elections scheduled for January 15.
Two-Phase Polling Concludes with Varied Turnout
The elections unfolded over two distinct phases. The first phase on December 2 saw voting for 263 local bodies, recording a voter turnout of 67.6%. The second and final phase was held on December 20 for the remaining 23 councils and 143 vacant member posts, concluding the process. The overall turnout for this second phase stood at 63.02%.
Notably, two councils—Angar in Solapur and Dondaicha in Dhule—saw candidates elected unopposed, bypassing the need for polling. In Pune district, the politically significant Baramati Municipal Council reported a 67% voter participation, while Phursungi-Uruli Devachi recorded 59.7%. Other areas like Gandhinglaj in Kolhapur and Shirala in Sangli saw remarkably high turnouts of 75% and 86%, respectively.
Incidents of Violence and Malpractice Mar Process
While polling was largely peaceful, several districts reported incidents that raised concerns. In Ambernath, police had to resort to a lathi-charge following clashes between rival groups. Authorities detained 208 women who were allegedly brought from Bhiwandi for voter impersonation, a charge the detained individuals denied.
In Nanded, allegations of cash distribution to influence voters led to the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs). Furthermore, clashes between party workers from the Shiv Sena, Congress, and BJP were reported in multiple districts, highlighting the intense competition. Technical glitches with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) also caused delays in Satara district, specifically in Mahabaleshwar and Phaltan, where several machines had to be replaced.
A Political Litmus Test Before Major Civic Battles
The results are being keenly watched as a direct contest between the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The outcomes in key local bodies like Baramati and Ambernath are expected to provide significant political cues.
Expressing confidence, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the Mahayuti alliance, having succeeded in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, was poised to win the municipal polls as well. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule echoed this sentiment, predicting a decisive mandate for the ruling coalition based on campaign trends.
This electoral exercise is a direct precursor to the mega polls for the BMC and 28 other municipal corporations, which will decide 2,869 seats involving a massive electorate of 3.48 crore voters. The trends and results from today's counting will undoubtedly shape strategies and alliances for the impending urban political battles in January.
