Counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections begins today, deciding who will rule Mumbai’s powerful civic body. Exit polls suggest an advantage for the BJP-led alliance, while MVA hopes for a comeback.
BMC Election Results Today: Mahayuti vs MVA Battle for Mumbai
Mumbai: The political picture regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the country's richest municipal corporation, is set to become clear today. Voting was held for a total of 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, and counting will begin on Friday morning. The results of the BMC's 227 wards have heated up politics across the state, as Mumbai holds immense administrative and economic importance.
According to exit polls released before the counting of votes, the BJP Plus appears to be gaining an edge in the state. Axis My India estimates that the BJP Plus is expected to win 131 to 151 seats, while the Congress Plus may win 12 to 16 seats. The Uddhav Thackeray faction, or UBT Plus, is projected to win 58 to 68 seats, while others may win 6 to 12 seats.
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A total of 1,700 candidates were in the fray for the BMC elections. These included 822 male and 878 female candidates. The political temperature in Mumbai remained high on voting day, and political rhetoric intensified in many areas.
After voting, the Thackeray brothers made serious allegations regarding the ink. Raj Thackeray claimed that the ink on the finger can be wiped off after casting a vote, making it possible to vote again. He appealed to voters to be vigilant.
Uddhav Thackeray stated that the ink being removed is a very serious matter and raises questions about the role of constitutional institutions. Aditya Thackeray posted on social media alleging an attempt to steal votes and termed it "cheap politics." Sanjay Raut also shared a video and demanded an impartial investigation into the matter.
Mumbai Battle: Voting underway for BMC and 29 other civic bodies; Vote-count tomorrow
Following the allegations, the Maharashtra Election Commission came forward. Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare stated that the ink used in the voting was indelible ink, which cannot be erased. He clarified that the ink dries in 10 to 12 minutes, and voters do not leave the polling station during that time. The Commission dismissed concerns about the ink as baseless.
All eyes are now on the vote count. The decision on whether the Mahayuti (grand alliance) will take control of the BMC or the MVA will return will be announced today. The results will determine the direction of Mumbai's politics and development in the coming years.
