BJP Triumphs in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad Civic Polls

The BJP secured a sweeping victory in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad civic polls, defeating rivals Ajit Pawar-led NCP and NCP (SP). The party retained power in both regions, capturing a significant number of seats. Despite Ajit Pawar's efforts to challenge BJP's dominance, the saffron party emerged victorious.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the civic polls held in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, overcoming challenges posed by the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its splinter group, NCP (SP).

In Pune, the BJP clinched 95 out of 135 declared seats, leaving Congress, NCP, and NCP (SP) significantly behind. The opposition's failure to gain a foothold further extended to the industrial hub of Pimpri Chinchwad where the BJP won 84 of the 127 seats. Ajit Pawar's NCP secured 36, reducing his influence within the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.

Ajit Pawar had campaigned vigorously against the BJP, accusing it of corruption and developmental lapses over nine years. Despite his post-election acceptance of the results as the people's supreme mandate, the loss marks a setback for Pawar, who's been attempting to consolidate power by partnering with NCP (SP).

(With inputs from agencies.)