Maharashtra zilla parishad polls: BJP on top with 200+ seats, Congress tally halves; NCP retains grip on rural Pune

PUNE: BJP significantly expanded its reach in Maharashtra's rural belt as it emerged the single largest party in the zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections in 12 districts, results for which were announced on Monday. Elections were conducted for 731 ZP and 1,462 panchayat samiti seats on Saturday.

In Pune rural, NCP swept the ZP elections, riding a sympathy wave following Ajit Pawar's demise in a plane crash on Jan 28. The party won 51 of 73 seats in Pune district, securing the rural body for a fourth straight term.


BJP has nearly doubled its numbers in this election, winning seats across all 12 districts, including several regions where it had a minimal presence earlier. It has topped the list with 225 ZP seats and 459 panchayat samiti seats, followed by NCP with 165 ZP and 306 panchayat samiti seats, and Shiv Sena with 162 ZP seats, according to figures available at the time of going to press. Overall, the Mahayuti won 552 of 731 ZP seats and more than 1,000 of the 1,462 panchayat samiti seats, PTI quoted the State Election Commission as saying. In the MVA, Congress won 55 ZP seats, followed by 43 for Shiv Sena (UBT) and 26 for NCP (SP), PTI reported, adding that MNS won a seat each in Latur and Ratnagiri.

BJP won the Solapur ZP poll with a majority, while in Satara and Sangli ZPs it will need the help of Mahayuti partners. In Kolhapur ZP, NCP emerged the single-largest party and may take BJP and Shiv Sena along to take charge. Congress has won 15 seats here and, altogether, has got 18 members elected, including local fronts and Independents the party supported. In Sangli, NCP (SP) emerged the single-largest party, winning 18 seats. MVA parties together won 30 seats in Sangli, just one short of the majority mark of 31.

BJP also emerged the leading party in the ZP elections in Sambhajinagar, Parbhani and Dharashiv districts in Marathwada region. Congress secured the top position in Latur. Overall, the outcome highlighted a major setback for NCP, as well as Congress, both of which traditionally enjoyed support in rural areas and continued to dominate in 2017 elections. NCP, which was the single largest party in these districts in 2017, has slipped to second spot.

Congress saw its seat tally drop by nearly half compared to 2017. In Pune district, it drew a blank in ZP election compared to seven last time. A similar trend was visible in Sindhudurg, where Congress had won a decisive majority in 2017 with 27 of 50 seats; it did not win any this year.

PM Modi lauded Mahayuti's win: "Once again, Maharashtra blesses BJP and Mahayuti! My compliments to every worker of Mahayuti for working tirelessly on the ground and elaborating on the solid track record of Maharashtra govt as well as NDA's vision for good governance."

The NCP swept the zilla parishad elections in Pune district, buoyed by a wave of sympathy following Ajit Pawar’s passing in a plane crash on Jan 28. The party clinched 51 of 73 seats, securing the rural body for a fourth straight term and reaffirming its enduring dominance across rural Pune, home to one of India’s largest industrial clusters.

The mandate highlighted NCP’s extensive grassroots network and strategic coordination, supported in several pockets by quiet backing from members of NCP (SP).

Analysts said the ZP polls were crucial for NCP, following significant setbacks in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation elections. Determined to reclaim political ground, Ajit Pawar had overseen the campaign strategy for the polls, holding nu-merous meetings to finalise candidates for both ZP and panchayat samiti seats.

Members of the Pawar family and NCP politicians described the results as a tribute to Ajit Pawar. While BJP led the overall tally with 225 ZP seats, NCP won 165 across the 12 districts that went to the polls on Feb 7.

Rohit Pawar, NCP (SP) MLA and Ajit Pawar’ nephew, said people paid tribute to Ajitdada by ensuring the party’s victory in the ZP polls in Pune and Sangli districts, as well as in 33 panchayat samitis across the state. “Had he been with us, success would have been even greater,” he stated. Agriculture minister Dattatray Bharne said the party’s performance was the result of Ajit Pawar finalising candidates and selecting strong contenders