Regional political force, Shiv Sena was reduced to 55 seats, whereas, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could only emerge victorious on 24. Congress, under the leadership of Ashok Chavan, won 107 of the 280 seats.

Mumbai, Jan 11: Results of Maharashtra Nagar Panchayat elections 2016 has More than 280 seats were contested in the polls conducted in 17 Nagar Panchayats. Congress has staged a major comeback winning 7 of the 17 Nagar Panchayats with absolute majority. No other party could forma majority in the remaining 10 panchayats.

Out of the total 280 seats of panchayat on the line, Congress won 107. Whereas, the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) managed to secure victory in only 58 seats. Regional political force, Shiv Sena was reduced to 55, whereas, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could only emerge victorious on 24 seats. (ALSO READ: Maharashtra Legislative Council Election Results 2015: Congress registers victory on 3 MLC seats, Shiv Sena and BJP win 2 each)

Interestingly, all the four major parties entered into the poll fray independently rather than entering into pre-election alliances. The result of the election comes as a major relief for Congress, who has been facing electoral upsets as of late. The grand-old party went into the elections under the leadership of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.

The results also indicate the rejection of BJP by rural electorates of the state. The image of BJP government at the Centre and State has fermented as one being ‘anti-farmer’. The debacle of BJP also hints that the ‘Modi magic’ now ceases to work in favour of the saffron party.http://www.india.com/news/india/maharashtra-nagar-panchayat-elections-results-2016-congress-stages-major-comeback-bjp-rejected-by-rural-voters-853948/