Voters wait in queues to cast their votes during the municipal council elections at a polling station in Karad, Maharashtra, on Saturday, December 20, 2025. | Photo credit: PTI
The BJP and the Shiv Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, claimed victory in the municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Palghar district on Sunday (December 21, 2025) as the results of the polls held in two phases this month were declared.
The Shiv Sena won the presidential election in Palghar and Dahanu municipal councils, while the BJP bagged the presidential posts in Jawhar municipal council and Wada Nagar Panchayat, according to local election officials.
In Palghar Municipal Council, Shiv Sena candidate Uttam Gharat was elected as the president. He defeated BJP’s Kailash Mhatre.
In Dahanu Municipal Council, Shiv Sena’s Raju Machhi secured the top post while his challenger Bharat Rajput of BJP bit the dust.
Jawhar Municipal Council saw BJP’s Pooja Udavant elected as president. She defeated Rashmin Riaz Maniar of the opposition NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar).
In Wada Nagar Panchayat, BJP’s Reema Gandhi won the post of president by defeating Shiv Sena’s Hemangi Patil.
Voting for the posts of president and members in 23 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra, as well as 143 vacant member posts in these local bodies, ended on December 20 at 5:30 pm.
Local bodies including Baramati, Ambernath are the more prominent ones going to polls. Voting began at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, and in the afternoon the State Election Commission (SEC) reported a 47.04% turnout. Six wards in Sinnar, Ozar and Chandwad recorded 49.47% votes. Final turnout numbers are expected today.
Several cases of fake voters in Ambernath, where around 200 women were reportedly brought to cast their votes, fake Aadhar card used to impersonate voters, were among the many hiccups encountered on the election day.
(With PTI inputs)
Published – 21 Dec 2025 10:10 AM IST
