SS, BJP set to wrest power in Nag; Cong, NCP in Akola

Nagpur, Feb 2 (UNI) The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance seems all set to wrest power in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), while the NCP-Congress appeared similarly poised in Akola Municipal Corporation even as the latter retained its hold on Amravati Municipal Corporation, in Vidarbha, after the declaration of the results of civic elections today.

In Nagpur, the saffron alliance accounted for 63 of the 135 seats for which elections were held.

Fighting together, the BJP won 56 and the Shiv Sena 7 seats.

The combine is thus 5 short of the 68 required for majority.

The Congress won 33 seats and the NCP 8 with a combined tally of 41.

There are 136 wards in the House, but election from one ward was countermanded because of the death of a candidate there.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) of Raj Thackeray opened its account in the city with victories from 2 wards. Besides, 10 independents have also made their way into the House. The Congress-NCP was in power so far in Nagpur.

In Akola, the only place in Maharashtra where the Congress and NCP fought together, the combination won 31 seats, 5 short of the magic figure of 36 in the 71-member house. The Congress accounted for 19 seats and the NCP for 12.

The BJP-Shiv Sena, which also fought together in Akola, accounted for 17 seats. The BJP won 10 and the Shiv Sena 7.

The Bharatiya Republican Party-Bahujan Mahasangh (BRP-BMS) has won 10 seats, while the MNS has opened its account with a lone member making it to the general body. The saffron alliance has ruled the civic body in Akola for the last five years.

Although the Congress and the NCP fought separately in Amravati, together they appeared set to retain power in the civic body, accounting for 38 seats between them, 3 short of the magic figure of 41 in the 81-member house. The Congress won 22 and the NCP 16 seats.

The BJP and the Shiv Sena, which also fought separately in Amravati, have accounted for only 26 seats between them. The BJP has won 15 and the Shiv Sena 11.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has won 4 seats, while 10 independents have tasted victory.

UNI