Maha Municipality poll results: Shiv Sena retains BMC

Mumbai, Feb 17: Shiv Sena has once again showcased its power at grass-root level in Maharashtra by bagging majority of seats on Friday's poll counting. Sena combined with BJP and RPI has won 107 seats of 227 seats in Mumbai municipal corporation. However, it can rule over the richest civic body only with the help of independents.

Shiv Sena has held BMC's reins for last 16 years, and on Friday it had just proven the Mumbai inmates' subtle commitment in giving back-to-back victory to the saffron outfit, despite being charged with 'mis-governance' and 'vandalism'.

Meanwhile, Congress-NCP alliance has been dejected by the stranglehold of Sena on BMC, since 1996. It could be recalled that state's CM Prithviraj Chavan had earlier expressed confidence of Sena and alliance would face a disheartening defeat when the results were out. However, the tally turned out to be a distressing miscalculation.

The low turn out of Mumbaikars to polling boots on Thursday, could have played a crucial role in this massive victory of Shiv Sena.

Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which deemed of devouring larger-chunk of Marathi votes, however, failed to outplay other parties. Following the unexpected outcome, Bal Thackeray's rebellion-nephew blamed the poor turn out of electors. He even came about suggesting Election Commission to do something about people who do not vote.

As State Election Commission reported merger 46.05 percent of voters came out to cast their support on ballot in Mumbai on Thursday.

OneIndia News