BMC election 2017 results: Big wins and surprising losses

After a grueling month-long campaign, all eyes are on the outcome of the fiercely-fought Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. As the counting process is underway, we take a look at how the key candidates are faring.

Neil Somaiya, son of BJP MP Kirit Somaiya won from ward number 108. BJP has won all six seats in Mulund. It is the first official victory for BJP. Neil was contesting against Shiv Sena's Mukesh Karia.

Kirit Somaiya is happy with his party's performance. He tweeted, "We have done it, BMC election, BJP wins all 6 seats of Mulund including Neil Kirit Somaiya."

An ecstatic Kirit Somaiya told Mirror, "I am grateful for Mulundkars for the trust they have shown in the BJP. Now that the MP, MLA and corporators in Mulund are all from the BJP infrastructure and development work will now happen fast."

When asked if BJP will ally with the Sena he said, "There will be transparency in Mumbai BMC functioning now because as I expect our numbers to be sizeable."
Neil has been active in party affairs through its youth wing, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, and has been preparing ground for the post of councilor for the past two years.

Another BJP candidate Parag Shah, the richest candidate from Ghatkopar East with assets worth Rs 690 crore has won too. Parag was contesting against Congress heavyweight corporator and Leader of Opposition Pravin Chheda, who lost miserably with a margin of over 2,800 votes.

"It is support of the people because of which I have won. I have been working on small platforms but this is big and I will continue to work for people," said Parag.

Though key BJP candidates have won in the city, Shiv Sena is leading over all. There have also been major losses for BJP where city chief Ashish Shelar's brother Vinod Shelar lost while BJP spokesperson Atul Shah did not emerge victorious.

However, standing committee chairman and Sena bigwig Yashodhar Phanse loses from Andheri.

AIMIM secures its first victory in BMC. Party candidate Waqarunnissa Ansari emerged victorious from Umerkhadi seat.