Mumbai: Resorting to a poll strategy that has proved successful in earlier elections, the BJP and Shiv Sena once again managed to limit the contest to their candidates, effectively shutting out the Congress and NCP for a telling victory in the Mira-Bhayander civic polls.
While relying heavily on Mira Road MLA Narendra Mehta, the BJP had also deputed Minister of State for Ports, Medical Education, IT and Food & Civil Supplies Ravindra Chavan and senior party legislator Yogesh Sagar for these elections. In addition, it had called in Central ministers for campaigning. Mr. Fadnavis too had campaigned during the last leg, assuring voters that his party alone could assure development as it is in power in both the State and Centre.
Aiding the BJP were a considerable number of turncoats from other parties, especially the NCP, who were used for campaigning to help the party increase its tally to 61 from 32 in 2012.
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The Sena, though ridiculed by BJP leaders for failing to corner the mayoral post, has gained seven seats to end with 22, from 15 in 2012. The Sena’s election campaign was managed by Thane MLA Pratap Sarnaik. “We respect the people’s verdict and thank them for the support. We will work effectively towards the development of Mira Road and Bhayander,” Mr. Sarnaik said.
Though local NCP heavyweights threw in their lot with the Sena, their presence did not yield desired results. In an attempt at inclusiveness, the Sena had given tickets to non-Marathi, Christian and Muslim candidates as well; this move, too, doesn’t seem to have made a significant difference.
The NCP, earlier an opposition party to be reckoned, didn’t manage a single seat this time, mostly due to powerful local leader and former MLA Gilbert Mendonca quitting its ranks a few months ago to join the Sena. The results have come as a huge shock for the party, as they have effectively rendered the NCP a non-player in Mira-Bhayander politics.
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The Congress’s apparently unstoppable decline continued, though it struggled to make it to double figures, much to the relief of party leaders. Its campaign was comparably lacklustre: only Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Ashok Chavan had been called in for campaigning in the area, and it was otherwise dependent solely on former MLC Muzaffar Hussain.