Gain for Cong, NCP in civic polls

MUMBAI: Congress and NCP, partners in Maharashtra’s ruling coalition, appeared headed for major electoral gains in 167 municipal councils and two municipal panchayats elections for which were held on Sunday.

Of the trends available in over 70 councils till late evening, NCP led in over 40 bodies and Congress emerged as a dominant party in over 20 bodies. The two parties had contested polls independently in 131 councils.

The final results would be available only on Tuesday as there was machine failure at over 30 places, state election commissioner Nandlal told reporters.

In Latur, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh’s home town, Congress emerged as dominant party, bagging 37 seats.

NCP got eight, independents eight, opposition Shiv Sena five and BJP four. During the last elections to Latur council, Congress had won 46 seats.

There was also good news for deputy chief minister RR Patil whose party NCP wrested control of his home town Tasgaon in Sangli district.

“Till now, we got support in rural areas but this is good sign,” he said.

“Yesterday’s elections and support received by NCP all over the state have dispelled the talk that our party only had a rural support base. Now, even urban populace has reposed faith in us,” Mr Patil told reporters.

The election results claimed a major casualty when leader of the opposition in state assembly Ramdas Kadam resigned owing moral responsibility for Sena’s “poor performance” in Khed council in Konkan region.