While the Shiv Sena is inching its way to a clear majority in the BMC polls, elsewhere in Maharashtra the BJP is clearly in the lead.

The BJP figures (results) so far.

Pune 46
Nagpur 22. Sena hasn't even opened an account yet.
Nashik 21
Solapur 22
Akola 14
Amravati 11
Zilla Parishad polls it's neck and neck: 92, Sena 94, Cong 94


The Shiv Sena, vying to retain control of the cash-rich BMC, took an early lead followed by the BJP, according to trends emerging from 10 municipal
corporations and 25 zilla parishads in Maharashtra.

Shiv Sena snatches back its stronghold Dadar from MNS leading on 6 out of 7 seats. In fact, the Sena is so confident of retaining its majority in the BMC that it has already begun celebrating. This is the Shiv Sena's first elections after Bal Thackeray's death and if they can go it alone without the BJP, it will be a big boost for Uddhav.

Counting of votes for 132 wards of Thane Municipal Corporation underway; SS leading in 10 wards, NCP on 1 & MNS on 1. BJP winning big in Pune and may get majority if trends continue. BJP sweeps Nagpur, leads in all wards counted so far.

The prime focus is on the cash-rich 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation with the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena at the forefront of this battle of might. The results will determine the fate of 21,620 candidates for 5,777 seats up for grabs in the 10 municipal corporations, 25 zilla parishads and 283 panchayat samitis for which the elections were held in two phases.

Nearly 56 per cent voters had exercised their right to franchise during the elections to the 10 municipal corporations held on Tuesday. The Mumbai civic body BMC recorded about 55 per cent turn-out.


Image: A Shiv Sainik waves the party flag outside Sena Bhavan in Dadar. The Sena leads in the Dadar seats, which was with the MNS earlier. Pic: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com