THERE is no surprise in the poll results: the expected has happened. The Mumbai voters stood by the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance. What becomes quite clear is that Balasaheb Thackeray has lost none of his charisma.
The Shiv Sena-BJP-Republican Party alliance has been able to garner 107 seats while the Congress-NCP got a poor 64 seats. While the Shiv Sena continues to have a bright presence in Mumbai, the Congress has a poor image.
In civic elections, usually local issues matter, but it looks like the current national image of the Congress, which thanks to scams, has been considerably dented, had an adverse impact on the chances of the party.
The NCP’s performance has been very poor. Raj Thackeray’s party – the MNS – has done quite well. It has got 28 seats – which indicates a bright future for the party. The Shiv Sena has to decide whether it will rely on independents and others – 28 seats – and muster a majority or seek the help of Raj Thackeray who will demand an inconvenient, dominant role in running the city. The continuing confrontation between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray may make Balasaheb rely on independents and others to get a majority.
What is to be noted is that the Shiv Sena does not have a comfortable majority and hence it has to keep making efforts to ensure independents and other supporters are happy.