Mira-Bhayandar civic polls: BJP bags 61 of 95 seats and NCP alomost finish

MUMBAI (INDIA): The BJP swept the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation elections in adjoining Thane district, winning 61 of the 95 seats, trouncing the bickering ally Shiv Sena and the opposition Congress and NCP.nnShiv Sena, which had shared power with the BJP in the urban body, fell far behind the BJP.nnIt, however, improved its tally from 15 in 2012 to 22.nnThe two parties had this time contested the polls separately.nnThe biggest loser was the NCP which drew a blank. It had won 26 seats in 2012 polls.nnThe Congress’s tally fell to 10 seats from 19 while Raj Thackeray-led MNS, which had one seat in the previous council, did not win a single seat this time.nnThe outcome marks the dominance of the BJP in civic polls in Maharashtra as the party had put up a splendid performance in rural and urban local bodies across the state in elections since last year.nnThe BJP raised its tally sharply from its score of 32 in 2012.nnChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the results as a “huge win for BJP.”nn”Now, development is certain. We will certainly live up to the expectations of people,” he tweeted.nn”Congratulations to leaders and karyakartas (workers) for spectacular win! I thank people of Mira-Bhayander for having faith in us! I assure speedy development,” he said.nnThe election victory is because of wave of ‘vishwas & vikas’ created by PM Narendra Modi ji and team BJP’s efforts!” he said.nnA total of 509 candidates were in the fray for 95 seats, for which elections were held yesterday.nnMira-Bhayandar is the second municipal body to be won by the BJP in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), after its victory in Panvel a few months back.nnSource: Press Trust of India