BJP Achieves Landslide Win in Mira-Bhayander Civic Elections
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has delivered a stunning performance in the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) polls. The party secured a commanding lead by winning 78 out of the 95 available seats. This result represents a substantial improvement from their previous tally in the last civic elections held nine years ago.
Shiv Sena Faces Major Decline in Seat Count
In contrast, the Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, experienced a sharp decline. The party managed to win only three seats. This is a dramatic drop from the 22 seats it held in 2017, before the party underwent a significant split.
Although the BJP and Shiv Sena currently function as allies within the state government, they chose to contest the MBMC elections separately. This decision followed unresolved disagreements over seat-sharing arrangements. The breakdown in negotiations ultimately led both parties to campaign independently.
Congress Shows Modest Improvement, Others Fail to Make Mark
The Indian National Congress secured 13 seats in the election. This figure is one seat more than what the party achieved in 2017. However, it still falls short of their 2012 performance, where they won 19 seats.
Other political entities, including the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, failed to win any seats. They were unable to open their accounts in this electoral contest.
Political Leaders React to the Election Outcome
Shiv Sena leader and State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik publicly acknowledged the verdict. He stated that the party accepts the people's mandate. Sarnaik emphasized his continued commitment to serving the citizens of Mira-Bhayander in his capacity as both an MLA and the transport minister.
BJP MLA from Mira-Bhayander, Narendra Mehta, attributed the party's sweeping victory to its expanding voter base within the city. Mehta revealed that he had previously refused requests from Sarnaik to allocate more seats to the Shiv Sena. He argued that the BJP's popularity had grown significantly in the region, justifying their decision to contest alone.
Notable Wins and Close Contests in Individual Wards
The election also featured some interesting individual results. Anil Bhosale, who was denied a BJP ticket, decided to contest as an independent candidate. He went on to win Ward 14 (D) with an impressive margin of over 2,000 votes.
In Ward number 10(C), a closely fought battle saw BJP candidate Kavita Tripathi emerge victorious by a mere eight votes. Shiv Sena candidate Pooja Amgaonkar requested a recount, but the result was ultimately confirmed.
Congress candidate Sayed Aafreen Muzaffar Hussain, the elder daughter of Congress leader Muzaffar Hussain, successfully won from Ward 22.
The election results clearly demonstrate a significant shift in the political landscape of Mira-Bhayander. The BJP's dominant performance underscores its growing influence, while the Shiv Sena faces challenges in regaining its former strength in the area.
