Setback for MVA as BJP does one better in MLC polls too

Wins 5 Seats; Sena, NCP 2 Each, Cong 1

- Prafulla Marpakwar & Clara Lewis

Mumbai: Just days after the Rajya Sabha elections, the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra was dealt a big blow by the BJP which succeeded in winning five out of 10 seats in the state legislative council polls though it had the votes to win only four. The Congress won only one seat, while NCP and Shiv Sena won two each, report Prafulla Marpakwar and Clara Lewis.

Though MVA led by CM Uddhav Thackeray had adequate numbers to ensure election of all six nominees, it lost one seat while BJP ensured victory of all its five nominees, prima facie owing to large-scale cross-voting and support of independents.

Win will boost BJP morale ahead of civic polls; CM calls Sena meet

Mumbai: While the MLC poll outcome is being viewed as a major setback for the Thackeray-led MVA after a Shiv Sena nominee's loss in the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections, it further strengthens the position of Devendra Fadnavis as the unchallenged BJP leader in the state whose electoral strategy has succeeded despite the party facing odds. Fadnavis has won two back-to-back victories after ensuring the win of all of the BJP's three RS candidates.

The win is likely to bolster BJP morale in the run-up to the BMC and other key civic elections.