The results for the polls to five municipalities has once again stirred up the political equations in the state, with permutations and combinations being worked out over forming of alliances. While the Congress has emerged as the largest party in all but one place, it can come to power on its own only in Latur. The other municipalities will require much jugglery of equations for the Congress to emerge winners.
Out of a total 371 seats, the Congress has walked away with 149, with the NCP coming in second with 64, and the Shiv Sena and BJP trailing with 46 and 28 seats respectively. In Parbhani, the NCP emerged the largest party with 30 seats against the Congress’ 23, and will try to come to power with post poll alliances, maybe even with the Sena with its eight corporators, political experts said. In Chandrapur, the Congress has grabbed 26 seats, but the BJP with 18 seats and the Sena with five will be trying to spoil the Congress’ party.
Despite the Congress and NCP’s mutual mudslinging after the recent municipal polls, the two parties may still ally with each other this time around. “The NCP is not totally reliable as our experience in the last election tells us, but as a matter of policy we shall give preference to like minded parties. In Bhiwandi, Malegaon and Chandrapur, we might hold negotiations, but no decision has been taken yet,” said MPCC chief Manikrao Thakre.
The NCP is also playing with its cards close to its chest. “At Parbhani, we have a chance to form a government. But we haven’t decided anything,” party spokesperson Madan Bafna said.
BJP state president Sudhir Mungantiwar accepted that they did not manage the kind of success in the Naxal-infested Chandrapur they had expected. However, he said the party was still hoping to get the mayor elected from within their fold.