Mumbai, Jan 17 (NationPress) Capitalizing on its recent victories in both Assembly and Municipal Council elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established a notable lead in the Municipal Corporation elections, indicating a robust move towards achieving “Shat Pratishat” (100 percent) political supremacy in Maharashtra.

With a groundbreaking win in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the BJP has solidified its command over India's financial hub. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has attained sufficient seats to assert control in 23 out of the 29 municipal corporations.

As the BJP’s momentum continues to build, its allies—the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction)—have faced setbacks. On the opposition front, the Congress secured the most seats among non-ruling factions, while the success of the AIMIM in Muslim-majority areas has raised concerns for traditional political players.

The ambition of a “100 percent BJP” in the state, initially articulated by BJP leader Pramod Mahajan in the 2000s and recently reiterated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, now seems more attainable than ever. The BJP’s performance across these 29 corporations has sent ripples through the political fabric of the state.

In Mumbai, the BJP accomplished its primary aim of displacing Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena from the BMC. Although the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition anticipated an overwhelming victory, the Thackeray brothers (Uddhav and Raj) posed a significant challenge until the final counts. Even with the division in the Shiv Sena, the Thackeray faction performed admirably in areas with a predominance of Marathi voters amidst a narrative of “Marathi vs Non-Marathi”.

The BJP has emerged as the predominant party in multiple key cities, ensuring they will secure the Mayoral positions alongside the Shinde faction in Mumbai, Nashik, Solapur, Pune, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Akola, Amravati, Sangli, Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Dhule, Ahilyanagar, Panvel, Mira-Bhayandar, Jalna, Ichalkaranji, Nanded, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Meanwhile, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which found success in Thane, Kalyan-Dombivli, and Ulhasnagar, will collaborate with the BJP to hold the mayoral position.

The results were a significant shock to the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction). Despite elevating the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad elections to a matter of personal pride, Pawar faced a considerable defeat. Analysts propose that this outcome may reduce his sway within the alliance, potentially necessitating stricter oversight from the BJP moving forward.

The Congress claimed a majority in Latur and emerged as the largest party in Bhivandi and Chandrapur. The Shiv Sena (UBT), despite losing authority in Mumbai, secured the most members in Parbhani. The ISLAM Party led in Malegaon, while Hitendra Thakur’s Bahujan Vikas Aghadi retained its influence in Vasai-Virar.

The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi will appoint its mayor in Vasai Virar, the Congress in Latur, Chandrapur, and Bhiwandi, the Shiv Sena UBT with support from MNC, and the ISLAM Party in Malegaon.

However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while celebrating this “record-breaking” victory, advised leaders and newly elected corporators against becoming arrogant.

“The public has elected BJP candidates with high expectations. We must operate transparently and honestly to uphold their trust,” he remarked.

He further highlighted the party’s ideological position, asserting that Hindutva and development are intertwined.

“Hindutva is our essence and a way of life. It binds us to the people. Our Hindutva is inclusive of all who cherish this country,” he concluded.

(Sanjay Jog can be reached at sanjay.j@ians.in)