BJP's Mayor Ambition in Amravati Hits Roadblocks
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured the single largest party position in the Amravati Municipal Corporation elections. The party won 25 seats, but it now faces a tough battle to install its own mayor. Allies are demanding concessions before offering their support, creating a complex political scenario.
Allies Hold the Key to Power
BJP's allies, Sena-Shinde and Yuva Swabhiman Party (YSP), won 3 and 16 seats respectively. These parties are poised to extract significant benefits before backing BJP's mayoral candidate. YSP, in particular, finds itself in a strong bargaining position.
Another ally, NCP (Ajit Pawar), distanced itself from BJP before the polls. It bagged 11 seats but is unlikely to join any power-forming exercise. This development puts YSP firmly in the driver's seat during negotiations.
Key Defeats Dent BJP's Prospects
In Amravati City's Budhwara ward (prabhag 14), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' maternal cousin, Vivek Kaloti, lost to Congress candidate Sanjay Shirbhate by 926 votes. This defeat came as a surprise to many observers.
Another blow struck BJP in Amravati's Sainagar (prabhag 19). BJP's Tushar Bhartiya, former standing committee chairman and younger brother of MLC Shrikant Bhartiya, lost to Yuva Swabhiman Party's Sachin Bhende. Chief Minister Fadnavis had promised to elect Bhartiya, despite Navneet Rana withdrawing support.
Congress Holds Steady, AIMIM Gains Ground
Congress retained its 2017 tally this time. The party's success stemmed from its loyal vote-bank and the hard work of its candidates. Star power from leaders like Sunil Deshmukh, Yashomati Thakur, or Balwant Wankhade did not significantly impact the results.
AIMIM pocketed 11 seats, improving upon its 2017 tally of 10. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi held three public meetings in a week, helping the party achieve a strike rate of 44%.
Other Parties Make Their Mark
Ajit Pawar's NCP recorded a 100% gain with 11 seats, having drawn a blank in 2017. BSP and Sena-Shinde each secured 3 seats. Sena (UBT) won two seats, while Ambedkar's VBA claimed one. No independent candidate managed to win this time.
The election results highlight a fragmented political landscape in Amravati. BJP must navigate tricky alliances to achieve its mayoral goal.
