47 per cent voters turn up for KDMC polls

Less than 50 per cent of the voters turned up for the Kalyan-Dombivali civic polls on Sunday. The votes will be counted on Monday. Both Shiv Sena and BJP have claimed that they would be in majority, however, a state BJP leader has revealed that they have no hopes of winning the polls. On the other hand, Sena claimed that it would continue to be in power by winning 52-55 seats; while MNS, Congress and NCP have claimed they would cross the two-digit figure.

According to the state election commission, about 47 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in the elections to the 122-ward civic body of Kalyan-Dombivali twin cities.

BJP legislator from Dombivali Ravindra Chavan claimed that the election would put BJP in power. He said, “Smart proposals and development were the choice of voters of twin city and I hope it has reflected in their votes. After the result is declared, everyone will see that the mayor will be from the BJP.” He added that 27 villages have exercised their franchise in favour of BJP candidates.

Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Shinde too said his party would be in power once again. “We have no doubt about it as people are fed up of the BJP’s dictatorship and the bullying by local leaders,” said Dr Shinde.

He refuted claims made by BJP and said that Shiv Sena will be single largest party in the KDMC polls and it would not need the support of any party.

Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said that chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray have always been hitting out at each other, which is disgraceful. He also claimed that both the parties manipulated the system to win the election.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Asian Age, a state BJP leader, on the condition of anonymity, said that the BJP does not have high hopes of winning. “It will be more than enough if we can increase our numbers in the outgoing civic body,” the leader said. The BJP has nine corporators in the outgoing KDMC. The leader said, “The BJP will reach 22-25 seats and not more than that.” He also claimed that BJP received unexpected response within 21 wards in 27 villages where it has supported Sangharsh Samiti candidates.