Mumbai: The results of the Gram Panchayat elections held in Maharashtra on Sunday have given a boost to the BJP and its allies, the Shiv Sena’s Shinde group and the NCP’s Ajit group, ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra and the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The BJP has emerged as the top party, winning more than 650 out of 2,359 Gram Panchayats in the state. The Ajit Pawar-led NCP has also performed well, winning more than 390 Panchayats, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP has fared poorly, winning only about 145 Panchayats. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has also suffered a setback, securing only about 110 Panchayats, while the Shinde-led Shiv Sena has won more than 290 Panchayats. The Congress has managed to win about 270 Panchayats, while other parties have won more than 340 Panchayats.
The results have also shown a shift in the political equation in Baramati, the stronghold of Sharad Pawar. Out of the 31 Gram Panchayats in Baramati, Ajit Pawar’s candidates have won 26, while Sharad Pawar’s candidates have won only four. One Gram Panchayat has gone to an independent candidate. This indicates that Ajit Pawar has gained an upper hand over Sharad Pawar in Baramati, which could have implications for the upcoming elections.
The results have also exposed the cracks in the Mahavikas Aghadi, the ruling coalition of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, and the Congress. The coalition partners have failed to put up a united front against the BJP and its allies, and have competed against each other in many Gram Panchayats. The results have also revealed that the people of Maharashtra have more trust in the BJP and its allies, who have campaigned on the plank of development and good governance, than in the Mahavikas Aghadi, who has been accused of corruption and mismanagement.
The table below shows the number of Gram Panchayats won by each party or group in the Maharashtra Gram Panchayat elections:
| Party/Group | Number of Gram Panchayats won |
|---|---|
| BJP | 650+ |
| Ajit Pawar’s NCP | 390+ |
| Others | 340+ |
| Shinde’s Shiv Sena | 290+ |
| Congress | 270+ |
| Sharad Pawar’s NCP | 145+ |
| Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena | 110+ |
