Shiv Sena emerged as the largest party in Mumbai, while BJP managed to secure a lead in other cities across Maharashtra and Congress and NCP trailed far behind.
Sena secured 84 seats in BMC, while BJP is not far behind with 82 in the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, where the saffron allies were locked in a battle.
In a battle of prestige for Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, the outcome of the polls in the 10 municipal corporations and 25 zilla parishads across the state began on Thursday morning.
About 56% voters had exercised franchise across 10 municipal corporations in Maharashtra.
Apart from Mumbai, the municipal corporations which went to the polls were Thane, Ulhasnagar, Nashik, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Akola, Amravati and Nagpur.
The first phase polling in 15 zilla parishads and 165 panchayat samitis was held on February 16 where 69% voters exercised their franchise.
The big poll focus is on cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Cooperation (BMC), retaining control of which is vital for Shiv Sena as the city has remained its prime political space ever since the party's formation in 1966.
(Picture Courtesy: Salman Ansari)