The Times of India

Congress is leading in the Latur Municipal Corporation elections, ahead of the BJP in early trends. This closely watched contest unfolds amidst Maharashtra's ongoing civic polls, where the ruling alliance has shown strong performance. The LMC results follow a tight race in 2017, with the BJP then emerging as the largest party.

The AIMIM has achieved significant gains in Maharashtra's civic elections, particularly in Muslim-majority areas, leading in 74 wards and surpassing the NCP. The party secured its first-ever BMC seat in Mumbai and made notable inroads in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dhule, and other key cities, signaling a growing presence.

Under the astute guidance of Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP has clinched a remarkable win in the Maharashtra civic elections, showcasing its influence in metropolitan regions. With a dominating performance over traditional adversaries such as Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP, the party's near-total sweep in urban constituencies showcases its growing supremacy and reshapes the political landscape of Maharashtra.

Early trends indicate the Mahayuti alliance, led by BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, is poised to end the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s 30-year dominance in the BMC. The alliance is leading in over 110 wards, with BJP showing significant strength. Similar trends are observed in Pune, where BJP is displacing the Pawars.

The BJP has decisively captured urban Maharashtra, securing leads in 23 out of 29 corporations and municipalities. In Mumbai, the saffron party, alongside its Mahayuti partner Shiv Sena, dominated the BMC, leaving rivals trailing. Similar trends emerged in Nagpur, Pune, and Thane, showcasing the BJP's strong urban foothold across the state.

Early trends in Mira Bhayandar civic polls show the BJP leading, while Congress is ahead in seven out of eight early results. Major alliances, including BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP and Congress-BVA, are in contention. Vote counting continues for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, held after a four-year gap, with significant political stakes following the Shiv Sena's 2022 split.

Early trends show the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance leading in the Vasai Virar municipal elections, where 1,234,690 voters are choosing representatives from 29 wards. This contrasts with the 2015 results where the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi dominated.

Congress candidate Asha Deepak Kale won Ward 183 in Dharavi by 1,450 votes, defeating Shiv Sena's Vaishali Shewale. The Mumbai civic polls saw a voter turnout of 52.94%, a slight decrease from 2017. Counting for the 227-member BMC elections, featuring nearly 1,700 candidates, is scheduled to begin soon.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has raised serious concerns regarding Mumbai's civic elections, pointing to missing voter names and malfunctioning EVMs. He questioned the timing of a recent BJP-Election Commission meeting and criticized early exit poll celebrations.

Voters in Thane, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai, and Ulhasnagar experienced confusion during municipal elections due to a new four-member panel system. Voters had to select four candidates instead of one, leading to delays and frustration at several polling booths. While some areas showed higher awareness, many voters struggled with the unfamiliar process.

Govandi and Pydhonie, known for their rich cultural diversity, witnessed a remarkable voter turnout, showcasing the community's determination to make a difference despite facing slight obstacles. From enthusiastic first-time voters to the wise elderly, all segments of society engaged in the electoral process, eager for a shift in local leadership.

The BJP-led Mahayuti expressed confidence in a strong performance across Maharashtra's municipal corporations, citing positive voter response in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Leaders believe development work and governance stability resonated with urban voters, projecting gains in Mumbai and other key cities. The alliance dismissed opposition allegations of irregularities, anticipating a decisive mandate.

In the latest elections in Mumbai, participation levels were commendable, yet voters faced challenges in identifying their polling booths. Adding to the tension was a heated debate over the use of marker pens rather than the customary indelible ink, as the Opposition raised concerns about potential fraudulent voting practices.

The neighborhoods of Ghatkopar and Mulund experienced a bustling atmosphere as voters flocked to the polls, particularly the Gujarati community rallying behind the BJP. High engagement was also noted in Marathi-centric zones like Bhatwadi and Amrut Nagar, where campaigns brought the community together to cast their votes.

The BMC elections in Mumbai, held after a gap of nine years, attracted a commendable voter turnout of about 54-56%. Early exit polls hint at a likely triumph for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, which could signal the end of the Thackeray family's 30-year dominance.

In a decisive move, the Maharashtra Election Commission has labeled the removal of indelible ink as a serious breach of electoral conduct amidst reports of voters attempting to register multiple votes in local body elections. Although some argue that the ink can be easily wiped off, the SEC emphasizes that their meticulous voting records are designed to thwart this practice.

Mumbai's BMC is prioritizing large infrastructure projects like Coastal Road and Goregaon-Mulund Link Road. This shift has led to a historic surge in capital spending. Consequently, the civic body's fixed deposits have seen a reduction. Funds were also diverted to other agencies for metro rail and BEST projects. Concerns are raised about basic civic amenities.

Mumbai's BMC elections commenced amidst controversy as videos surfaced showing indelible ink being removed with acetone. While the BMC dismissed these claims as incorrect, opposition leaders and a journalist demonstrated the ink's easy removal. Allegations of voter bribes and technical glitches also surfaced, raising transparency concerns.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi cast her vote in Mumbai after facing an issue with her name missing from the voter list at her usual booth. She urged citizens to verify their polling station details and vote in large numbers. Voting is underway across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, with key battles expected in Mumbai and Pune.

Maharashtra's political landscape is a complex web of shifting alliances as municipal corporation election results loom. Polling for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation saw varied voter turnout across wards. Key partnerships are forming across Mumbai, Pune, Thane, and other major cities, with major parties like BJP, Shiv Sena factions, NCP factions, and Congress strategizing for victory.

The celebration of Kaifi Azmi's 106th birth anniversary drew artists, writers, and film personalities. The event featured a soulful Sufi music performance by Pooja Gaitonde and highlighted Azmi's commitment to social change, as exemplified by his work in Mijwan. Shabana Azmi shared insights into her father's impactful life and values.

Mumbai is buzzing with electoral excitement as a 12% rise in voter participation coincides with a 25% decline in candidate numbers. With over a crore voters set to engage in the democratic process, the administration has mobilized an impressive force of 64,000 security personnel for a protected polling environment.

A 36-year-old heart transplant recipient, Shagun Shah, is set to complete the Tata Mumbai Marathon's half-marathon, marking a remarkable 14-month recovery. Diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, Shah's journey from a life-threatening condition to athletic achievement highlights the possibilities of organ donation and the resilience of transplant recipients.

Mumbai's richest municipal corporation, the BMC, is holding elections for 277 ward members after an eight-year gap. Over 10 million citizens are eligible to vote, with a significant police deployment ensuring security. The election marks a key political battle for control of the city's vast budget, with various parties vying for victory.

Mumbai's electorate is about to make its voice heard once more as they prepare for a pivotal election after a nine-year pause, tasked with electing corporators for the BMC. The contest is fierce, featuring Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) going toe-to-toe with the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction.

Mumbai anticipates a sunny Thursday with pleasant temperatures, peaking at 27.6C. However, yesterday's 'Very Poor' air quality (AQI 228) remains a concern, especially near traffic. Experts advise masks for outdoor activities and caution about potential respiratory irritation. The week ahead promises steady sunshine, with a slight cooling trend by early next week.