BJP shines at gram panchayat polls in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: BJP on Monday claimed that it has won the largest number of posts of sarpanch, the elections for which were held on Sunday. The outcome of the results assume significance for CM Devendra Fadnavis as in political circles it was believed that BJP would be sidelined in the rural polls.

It was for the first time in the history of gram panchayat polls that the elections for sarpanch post were held directly. But the nominees did not contest on party symbols. Legally, they were all independent candidates, but political parties claimed alliance with them.



According to a BJP leader, of the 3,489 gram panchayats, results in 2,974 were declared. BJP nominees were elected in 1,457 panchayat samitis as sarpanch, followed by Congress (301), Shiv Sena (222) and NCP (194).

Ever since Fadnavis took over the reins in October 2014, BJP is on the winning spree in the zilla parishad, municipal council and municipal corporation elections.

In the municipal council polls, BJP nominees won as president in 52, followed by Shiv Sena (27), Congress (23) and NCP (21).