Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The results of the municipal corporation elections were declared on Friday. Of the 859 candidates who contested the elections, 115 emerged victorious, while 744 faced defeat. The first day of these newly elected corporators was spent amid celebrations and felicitations. There was a shower of congratulations on the winning candidates and their close supporters. Several corporators toured their respective prabhags to thank voters and those who worked tirelessly day and night to ensure their victory.
The municipal corporation is considered the focal point of the city’s politics. Many leaders who served one or two terms as corporators have gone on to become MLAs and MPs. The municipal elections were originally due in 2020; however, due to various reasons, they were delayed by five and a half years. Following the Supreme Court’s directions, the State Election Commission (SEC) was required to conduct the municipal elections before January 31.
For the first time, elections in the city were held under the prabhag system. Many voters were unfamiliar with this format, and there were apprehensions of large-scale cross-voting. However, discerning voters elected several panels from the BJP and AIMIM parties.
Candidates had very limited time for campaigning. The prabhags were large, while the number of days available for canvassing was short. Despite this, candidates extensively covered various localities within their prabhags. Polling was held on January 15, and vote counting took place on Friday, January 16, resulting in the election of 115 candidates out of 859. After their victory, corporators came together to take out rallies in their prabhags and celebrated enthusiastically. In some areas, candidates were felicitated with huge garlands using cranes.
Meetings with voters and workers
From Saturday morning, long queues of well-wishers were seen outside the homes of newly elected corporators in many areas. Some corporators arrived at their offices in the afternoon, where they accepted felicitations. In the evening, they met prominent citizens as well as common residents of their prabhags to express gratitude. Corporators also visited the homes of party workers and shared tea with them, acknowledging their support.