Political observers are keenly watching the elections to the local self-government scheduled for June 27, as the fluctuating party equations are likely to make the polls unpredictable.
The polls in 22 districts for 1,884 village panchayats, 13 nagar parishads and by-elections for two municipal wards will have a lasting impact on political permutations. Moreover, the administration would also be put to test in these elections.
While the MNS has proved its importance in the general elections, it could turn out to be a surprise package even in the local self-government elections. Since the MNS’ support to the Shiv Sena in the Ambernath civic polls came as a surprise to many, the same could come as a warning to the BJP.
After having wrested the post of the Opposition leader in the state Assembly, the BJP has been in an upbeat mood since last October and the Sena is finding it difficult to keep up with it. However, on the local level, the Sena seems to have an upper hand. Sensing the need to reinforce its base in remote areas, the Sena has been sending its top leaders to villages. Meanwhile, BJP MP Gopinath Munde is trying to bring peace between the parties. He recently said that the MNS’ support to the Sena will help the BJP-Sena combine.
Moreover, the elections for the chairperson of the Badlapur municipal council, where the NCP supported the BJP and withdrew two of its candidates, resulted in a contest between the BJP candidate and the Sena candidate. This move added a new perspective. The NCP’s stand worried the Congress but the NCP leadership held local MLA Kisan Kathore responsible for the mischief.
Further, in this turbulent atmosphere, with five of the major political parties wanting to have an early base in villages, the elections scheduled for June 27 will go a long way to create new equations ahead of the important Municipal elections for Mumbai, Thane and other important places.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the State Elections Commission (SEC), commissioner Neela Satyanarayan said that after successfully conducting elections to the local self-government in Naxal-infested Gadchiroli district and peaceful elections in the turbulent Vasai-Virar area, the polls to zilla parishads and panchayats in the Naxal-affected Bhandara and Gondia districts will be handled carefully. The SEC will also ensure that no minister breaches the election code of conduct.