Mumbai's Political Throne: A Civic Showdown

Elections for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, revealed high stakes. The reunited Thackeray cousins vie against the BJP-led alliance for dominance in Mumbai's municipal corporation. Voter turnout in Mumbai was 52.94%, a decrease from 2017's 55.53%. 1,700 candidates are competing for 227 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The counting of votes for the elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra began Friday, with particular focus on Mumbai. The city is home to a significant contest between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the reunited Thackeray cousins, all vying for control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Polling was conducted for 2,869 seats across 893 wards, including 227 in Mumbai, with 15,931 candidates in contention. The voter turnout was recorded at 52.94% in Mumbai, a slight drop from the 2017 elections. The BMC elections are taking place after a four-year delay, and this year 1,700 candidates are contending for 227 seats.

This election marks a significant shift as the Shiv Sena sees fragmentation after its 25-year dominance. Meanwhile, Congress, once a strong presence, is reasserting itself by stepping outside the shadow of its traditional local allies. Municipal elections across various cities took place after a gap of several years, with the MMR emerging as a critical urban zone under scrutiny.

(With inputs from agencies.)