Thane civic polls results highlights: Mahayuti ahead of Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS; counting underway

THANE: Counting of votes for the Thane Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections began on Friday. The results are expected later today, setting the stage for a closely watched political outcome.Thane is witnessing its first civic elections under the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance, with Thackeray cousins Uddhav and Raj taking on the Mahayuti, led locally by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. The contest is focused on more than 12 key seats, including areas considered traditional strongholds of the Shiv Sena chief.Among the bigger flashpoints is ward 9 in Naupada-Kopri administrative division, where the two Sena factions are squaring off in two seats.

In Diva, MNS mounted a direct challenge to Shiv Sena in seats 27A, 28C and 20C in Naupada, while also taking on BJP in seat 11C. In two Diva seats, candidates from MNS and Sena (UBT) were fielded independently, possibly signalling a calibrated attempt to collectively blunt Sena's dominance.Key HighlightsMahayuti leads: Early trends from the Thane civic polls show the Mahayuti alliance leading in 15 seats as counting continues, with the Shinde's Shiv Sena ahead in nine seats and the BJP in six.

At this stage, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS have not opened their account.Clash in Manpada: Supporters of two candidates clashed during polling in Thane’s Manpada area on Thursday evening, prompting police intervention. The incident took place in ward number 3 following a confrontation between supporters of former mayor Meenakshi Shinde, the official Shiv Sena candidate, and independent candidate Bhushan Bhoir, a Sena rebel.Why Thane matters: The outcome in Thane is critical for both the Sena (UBT)-MNS combine and Shinde. Thane was where undivided Sena first tasted power. A win here would validate the Thackeray brothers' alliance as timely and acceptable to voters, while for Shinde, it would only strengthen his claim as Balasaheb Thackeray's political heir.Shinde's campaign: Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said the Shiv Sena had contested the Thane civic elections with a focus on development. Speaking to reporters, he said the party was confident of its performance and dismissed opposition concerns over EVMs. Thackeray brothers campaign: Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray on Monday campaigned together in Thane, asking voters to oppose what they described as Mahayuti’s attempt, led mainly by the BJP, to sideline the Marathi manoos in Maharashtra.