Loha Council Win: NCP Breaks BJP's Dynastic Bid
Loha Council Win: NCP Breaks BJP's Dynastic Bid
In Loha, Maharashtra, the NCP clinched the presidency of the Loha municipal council, defeating BJP's dynastic slate as counting unfolds across 286 councils in the state.
Loha, Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar-led NCP clinched the presidency of the Loha municipal council, fielding a candidate named Sharad Pawar. He faced a slate backed by the BJP, led by Gajanan Suryavanshi, whose extended family also contested. Suryavanshi’s wife Godavari, brother Sachin, sister-in-law Supriya, brother-in-law Yuvraj Waghmare and nephew’s wife Reena Vyavhare all lost in the counting. The outcome punctures the BJP’s “family pack” strategy in Loha, a notable setback in a district where the opposition had accused the BJP of dynastic politics.
Counting of votes for the posts of president and members in 286 municipal councils and nagar panchayats began at 10 am on Sunday. In the broader district, the NCP emerged victorious in Loha, Kandhar, Degloor and Umri, while the BJP won in Kundalwadi, Mudkhed and Bhokar. The Shiv Sena and Marathwada Janhit Party also secured two places each, with the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress winning one place each. Notably, the NCP (SP) led by opposition stalwart Sharad Pawar did not capture any council in this phase.
Across the state, voter turnout was recorded at around 47%, with election incidents and several unopposed contests shaping the day’s events. Special investigations and police action were launched in several districts over poll chaos and fraud allegations, as results for all 286 councils and nagar panchayats were due to be declared on December 21. The day’s outcomes were being watched as an early read on the grassroots strength of the Mahayuti and the opposition MVA bloc, even as margins and post-poll arithmetic remained fluid.
