Maharashtra civic polls: 39 Mahayuti candidates win unopposed across 4 bodies, raise opposition hackles; SEC to scrutinise | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: A wave of opposition withdrawals at four civic bodies has led to an unusually high number of unopposed victories, giving Mahayuti an early advantage. Unopposed victories were highest in the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) with 20 seats, followed by seven in Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and six each in Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) and Panvel City Municipal Corporation (PCMC).In KDMC, 14 BJP and six Shiv Sena candidates were elected unopposed. While two were declared earlier, 18 more secured victories on Thursday and Friday after large-scale withdrawals by opposition candidates. Election officials said that over 50 candidates withdrew by the final day, including nominees from Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, Congress and both NCP factions.

The most notable withdrawal was in Dombivli's ward 27-D, where MNS city president Manoj Gharat pulled out, clearing the way for BJP's Mahesh Patil.

In panel 23, all three BJP candidates won unopposed, including Dipesh and Jayesh Mhatre, son and brother of former mayor Pundalik Mhatre, as well as Mahesh Patil and his sister Sunita. Former MNS MLA Pramod Patil alleged misuse of power and intimidation, while Shiv Sena (UBT) said withdrawals were for personal reasons and disciplinary action would follow if required.In BNMC, BJP took an early lead with six candidates elected unopposed after opposition withdrawals, including Muslim candidate Abu Saad Sheikh and Sumit Patil, nephew of former Union minister Kapil Patil.

The BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting together, while Sena (UBT) and MNS are allied. Congress, SP and both NCP formations are fighting independently, making the contest multi-cornered in Muslim-dominated Bhiwandi.In Thane, seven Shiv Sena candidates -- six of them women -- won unopposed following withdrawals and disqualifications of rivals. Shinde termed it an endorsement of his party's work and the Laadki Bahin initiative, predicting a Mahayuti victory in over 100 seats.

Meanwhile, the MNS staged a silent protest alleging pressure and money power. In Kalwa, independent candidate Pramila Mukund Keni entered the fray with NCP (SP) backing after its nominee withdrew in her favour.In PCMC, five BJP candidates were elected unopposed after rival withdrawals, while BJP's Nitin Jayram Patil won after his opponent's nomination was rejected over caste certificate issues. Independent candidate Snehal Swapnil Dhamale, sister of BJP-nominated MLC Vikrant Patil, also won unopposed after a BJP rival withdrew.

The BJP said disciplinary action would be initiated against the MLC for keeping the party in the dark.SEC to check if unopposed wins caused by inducementWith reports of a large number of ruling party candidates being elected unopposed for municipal corporation elections across the state, the State Election Commission (SEC) will scrutinize reports sent from municipal commissioners to check if coercion or inducement led to the withdrawal of the opposing candidates. “We have not given any special directives for this. This is the standing rule when there is an unopposed election. In the case of rural polls, a report is taken from the district collector while in the case of urban polls, a report is taken from the municipal commissioner,” said a senior SEC official. It’s only after a report is received (that the withdrawal is not because of the offer of money, use of muscle power or other inducements) is the returning officer (RO) allowed to declare the election.