1,326 candidates in fray for 2nd phase municipal council polls

As many as 1,326 candidates are in race for the 324 seats in 14 municipal councils of Latur and Pune districts of Maharashtra.

Mumbai, Dec 7: As many as 1,326 candidates are in race for the 324 seats in 14 municipal councils of Latur and Pune districts of Maharashtra, which will go to polls on December 14 in the second phase.

Similarly, 106 candidates are in fray for the post of municipal council president in the 14 municipal councils.

State Election Commissioner J S Saharia said voting will take place on December 14 between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm and the counting of votes will be taken up the next day.

Giving a break-up of the municipalities going to polls, Saharia said in Pune district, for 39 seats in Baramati, 171 candidates will contest the election and seven for the post of council president.

In Talegaon-Dabhade, 51 candidates are contesting for 26 seats and two for the post of president. Similarly, for 25 seats in Lonavala, 111 candidates will lock horns for councillors' post and six others will try their luck for the post of president, he said.

In Daund, there are 112 candidates for 24 seats and nine for the president's position, while in Junnar, 70 candidates will lock horns for the 17 seats and 13 for the post of council chief.

In Shirur, there are 72 candidates for 21 seats and five for the president's post. In Alandi, there are 57 candidates for 18 seats and eight for the presidents post.

There are 53 candidates in race for 17 seats in Jejuri and five for the council presidents post. In Indapur, 77 candidates will contest the polls for 17 seats and 7 for council presidents post.

In Latur district, there are 185 candidates in fray for 38 seats in Udgir and 12 for council presidents post. For the 23-seat Ahmedpur municipality, there are 115 candidates in fray and six for council presidents post.

In Ausa, there are 101 candidates for 20 seats and 13 for municipal council president post. In Nilanga, there are 100 candidates for 20 seats and seven for council chief post.

In the first phase, election to 147 municipal councils and 17 nagar panchayats across 25 districts in Maharashtra, were held on November 27.

The ruling BJP emerged as the major gainer in the first phase of elections winning highest number of seats at 893, out of the total 3,727 seats. It also won 51 municipal chief's posts, followed by Shiv Sena with 25, Congress 23 and NCP with 18 posts.

PTI