Civic polls: Cong wins in Anna's home district

Mumbai: People in Anna Hazare's home district voted largely in favour of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party in the civic body elections, the final results of which were declared on Wednesday.

In Hazare's Ahmednagar district, of the total 173 seats spread across eight civic bodies, the Congress has bagged 80 while the NCP got 37, totaling to 117, virtually retaining their existing positions.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) got 14 seats while Shiv Sena got three, a paltry 17 total.

However, smaller registered parties got 30 seats and nine seats were bagged by independents or rebels, totaling to 39. (117+17+39 = 173 total seats in the district).

In Ahmednagar district, while the Congress has gained control over Rahata-Pimpals, Sangamner and Shrirampur civic bodies, its ally the NCP has bagged Pathardi, while in Kopargaon it would have to ally with smaller parties to rule the 26-strong civic body.

Last week, 175 civic bodies with a total of 3,825 seats went to the polls in two phases in the state, while elections to 22 seats are yet to be held on account of different reasons.

From the results of 3,825 seats declared so far, the NCP emerged as the biggest vote catcher, bagging 1,043 seats, across various civic bodies across Maharashtra, sending alarm bells ringing in the Congress.

The Congress follows closely with 968 seats.

On the other hand, the BJP secured 342 seats, with its ally Shiv Sena getting 323 seats - an indicator that its alliance with the Dalit party, Republican Party of India has made little impact on the voters.

While Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena secured 33 seats, smaller registered parties have bagged 623 seats, while independents, including rebels from various parties, scored a bull's eye in 353 seats.

In the finally tally, the NCP has emerged in a commanding position in a majority of the civic bodies followed by the Congress, all over the state, jolting the BJP-SS-RPI alliance.

Early February, there will be another electoral test for all the parties with elections to major municipal corporations, including Mumbai, Thane, Pune and other important cities scheduled.