BMC exit polls: Axis My India predicts clean sweep for BJP-led Mahayuti; Thackeray camp trails

NEW DELHI: Axis My India’s exit canvass has projected a sweeping triumph for the BJP-led NDA successful the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.According to the survey, the BJP+ alliance, comprising the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, is predicted to triumph betwixt 131 and 151 of the BMC’s 227 seats. The UBT+ bloc, which includes the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, MNS and NCP (SP), is projected to unafraid 58–68 seats, portion the Congress-led confederation is expected to negociate conscionable 12–16 seats. Others are apt to triumph betwixt six and 12 seats.

Polling crossed Mumbai and 28 different municipal corporations successful Maharashtra saw an estimated turnout of 46–50 per cent, officials said, little than the 55.53 per cent recorded successful Mumbai during the 2017 civic polls.

Voting concluded astatine 5.30 p.m. amid dense security, with much than 25,000 constabulary unit deployed successful the city.

The BMC election, held aft a nine-year spread pursuing delays caused by the pandemic, tribunal rulings connected OBC reservations and ward delimitation, witnessed a fiercely contested conflict betwixt the ruling Mahayuti and the reunited Thackeray cousins. Over 1,700 candidates were successful the fray successful Mumbai alone, with the civic assemblage controlling an yearly fund exceeding Rs 74,400 crore.

The time was marred by contention implicit claims that the indelible ink utilized connected voters’ fingers could beryllium easy removed. While the State Election Commission rejected the allegations, absorption leaders Uddhav and Raj Thackeray accused the canvass assemblage of superior irregularities, demanding accountability.