By Rehan Ansari, TwoCircles.net,
Mumbai: As predicted two days ago on this page, no party has got clear majority in any of the four civic bodies that went to poll on Sunday. Results declared today show Independents as kingmaker in more than one municipal corporations, or two or more parties will have to form post-poll alliance to run the civic body.
Malegaon
Results declared on Monday are shocking for Teesra Mahaz (Third Front) led by Mufti Ismail in Malegaon and also for the Janata Dal (Secular) led by Nehal Ahmed.
Congress emerged as the biggest gainer in municipal election in Muslim-dominated Malegaon with 25 seats; Nationalist Congress Party has got 8, Teesra Mahaz 19, Janta Dal (s) 4, and Samajwadi Party 1. BJP had fielded many Muslim candidates but could not win a single seat whereas Shiv Sena won 11, MNS-2, Independent and others who hold the key to the Mayoral post won 10 seats in the 80-seat Malegaon body.
Congress and NCP though fought the election alone can come together and with the support of Independents can get the clear majority. Mohiuddin, a Journalist said, “Congress and NCP will come together and will nominate the first Woman Mayor of Malegaon.”
Buland Iqbal, son of Nehal Ahmed and leader of Janta Dal (s) and Mufti Ismail of Teesra Mahaz could not be contacted for comments.
Besides, people of Malegaon who fought and for and celebrated the release of 7 blast accused did not vote for Shabbir Masiullah and Zahid Abdul Majid, two suspects. Both of them fought the election on Samajwadi Party ticket, they could not even save their deposit.
Bhiwandi
Not only in Malegaon, no party in Bhiwandi — where independents have always ruled the Municipality — could get the clear majority. Although Congress with 26 seats is on the top in the tally, but it is still 20 seats short of the magic figure. In the 90-seat house, Congress won 26, NCP 09, Independents 15, Samajwadi Party 16, Shiv Sena 16 and BJP has won 8 seats.
Parbhani
In 65-seat Municipal Corporation of Parbhani, NCP has led the tally with 30 seats. Congress came second with 23 seats while Shiv Sena won 8, BJP 2 and 2 seats won by the Independent candidates.
Chandrapur Municipal body has also got mixed results whereas in Latur, Vilasrao Deshmukh could get majority for Congress.
(Photos by Zameer Ahmed) .