BJP sweeps Mira-Bhayander civic polls, Sena suffers big jolt

Continuing its winning spree in local bodies polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday swept the elections to Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), while its ally Shiv Sena suffered a huge setback.

The BJP secured nearly two-thirds majority by bagging 61 of the total 95 seats and almost doubled its tally compared to 32 corporators in the previous election.

The Shiv Sena, which held 22 seats in the outgoing house and contested separately, was restricted to 15 seats, coming a distant second.

The opposition also suffered a major setback with the Congress managing to get 10 seats, down from 18 in the last elections, while Independents and others secured just two - down from the earlier four.

With this, the BJP will elect its own Mayor and Deputy Mayor, besides capturing all other important posts in the new house.

Mira-Bhayander is a flourishing township with a large concentration of Muslims in Thane district, across the north-west border of Mumbai.

Immediately after the results, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "MBMC election victory is because of wave of 'Vishwas & Vikas' (Trust and Progress) created by PM Narendra Modiji and Team BJP's efforts!"

Assuring the million-strong population of Mira Road-Bhaynder twin towns of "speedy development", he thanked the people for giving the BJP a spectacular victory.

"I will ensure that the developmental works through the MBMC would be speeded up to fulfill the peoples' wishes and expectations," he added.

--IANS

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