Congress Pulverises BJP In Nanded Civic Body Elections

The Congress Party on Thursday shocked the ruling BJP by bagging Nanded-Waghala City Municipal Corporation (NWCMC). It won 43 of the 46 seats, the results of which were announced and established a clear lead in 20 others. The Nanded area is a stronghold of former CM Ashok Chavan and is considered one of the strong bastions of the party.

In the 81-member NWCMC, the Congress is set to win over 65 seats. Interestingly, it not only retained the corporation, but even improved the tally. This is being seen as a morale booster for the arty, which is facing a saffron onslaught.

Both the ruling BJP and its ally Shiv Sena were trounced and their strength decimated. Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), which was considered a powerful contender, too drew a zilch. It had 10 seats in the outgoing house. Interestingly, Congress ally, the Nationalist Congress Party of Sharad Pawar could not do all that well.

Congress leaders hailed the victory. Ashok Rao Chawan said: "The return journey for the Congress in Maharashtra has begun from Nanded. He said the people of Nanded had reposed faith on the Congress Party's development agenda.