Shiv Sena-BJP alliance leads in Aurangabad, NCP in Navi Mumbai

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena-BJP alliance is set to retain the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation while NCP emerged as the single largest party in Navi Mumbai municipal corporation.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) made an impressive debut in Aurangabad, bagging 25 seats.

None of the parties or alliance in both the municipal corporations has so far secured a clear majority for civic elections that went to polls yesterday.

However, with 51 of the total 113 seats, the saffron alliance looks set to retain power there.

In Aurangabad, Shiv Sena bagged 29 seats, BJP 22, Congress 10, NCP 3, BSP 5 and others 19.

In the Navi Mumbai (NMMC) polls, former NCP minister Ganesh Naik managed to fend of the saffron challenge as his party bagged 53 seats and is likely to retain power unless Congress and others back Sena-BJP alliance which secured 43 seats.

NCP got 53, Sena 37, BJP 6 and others 5 in the Navi Mumbai polls.

Aurangabad mayor Kala Ojha and another former woman mayor Anita Ghodele tasted defeat.

Hrishikesh, son of Sena MP Chandrakant Khaire won the poll. Khaire's nephew Sachin Khaire, however, lost to independent candidate Raju Tanwani from Gulmandi seat.

Meanwhile, Chandrakant Khaire said it would have been better had the Sena contested the polls on its own.

Senior BJP minister Vinod Tawde described Khaire's remarks as his personal opinion.

Seven municipal councils also went to polls yesterday and the counting was held today.

MPCC chief and former CM Ashok Chavan maintained his hold over the Bhokar municipal council in Nanded district.