KOLHAPUR: The BJP made an entry into Sangli with a bang on Thursday by sweeping 23 zilla parishad (ZP) seats, leaving Congress with only 10 in its bastion, even as the NCP retained its hold on Satara by winning 39 seats out of 64.The saffron party also made inroads into Kolhapur and Satara by winning 14 and seven seats respectively. The BJP has emerged the largest party in Kolhapur along with Congress, which also bagged 14 seats.The BJP is now the single largest party in the 60-member Sangli ZP. The NCP is at second spot with 14 seats, followed by Congress (10 seats) and Shiv Sena (three). The remaining 10 seats went to others, including Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana.Among the top losers in Sangli were Mahendra Lad, son-in-law of Congress leader Patangrao Kadam from Kadegaon, and minister Sadabhau Khot's son from Bagani.In Kolhapur, the NCP managed to win 11 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (10) and Jansurajya Party (six). The Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana bagged two seats and the remaining seats were shared by local factions.Revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said BJP will be forming an alliance with other local factions and Shiv Sena to reach the magic figure of 34 and clinch power at Kolhapur ZP."We are in touch with Shiv Sena leaders from the district and are discussing the prospects of an alliance in the district. The formula will be worked out soon and we will be in power," said Patil.Shiv Sena had contested the maximum number of seats, and with six MLAs from the district, the party leaders were optimistic about winning maximum seats. "We were expecting a big win here, but we are happy with our performance with 10 seats as we will play a major role in forming power in the ZP," said a senior Sena leader.Congress district president P N Patil said, "We are not happy with the results but we have to accept the fact. People fell prey to the fake talks of BJP and voted for it. We were expecting good results. We will take steps cautiously to discuss about forming an alliance with other parties to come to power in the ZP."Among the major candidates who won the elections in Kolhapur were Rahul Awade, son of former minister and Congress leader Rahul Awade. He had contested as a Tararani Aghadi candidate supported by Congress. Rahul Patil, son of Congress leader P N Patil, Arjun Ingawale of BJP and Umesh Apate of Congress are the other winners. All these are probable candidates for ZP president as the post has been reserved for open male category.The BJP emerged a leader in the panchayat samiti elections also in Sangli by clinching five Samitis out of 10, while the NCP won four and Shiv Sena one. Of the total 120 Panchayat Samiti seats in Sangli district, the BJP won 39, followed by NCP (34), Congress (24) and Shiv Sena (five). Others won 19 seatsIn Satara district, Congress and BJP won seven ZP seats each and Shiv Sena two. Local groups like Karad Taluka vikas aghadi and Satara Vikas Aghadi bagged three seats each and Patan Vikas Aghadi one seat. Two seats were cornered by independent candidates.The election process witnessed a rift between MP Undayanraje Bhosle and his cousin Shivendraraje Bhosle, both NCP men. A mob had thrown stones at Udayanraje's vehicle while he was on election campaign tour in Medha region. Staying within the NCP, Udayanraje fielded his candidates in Satara ZP elections by forming an alliance with Satara Vikas Aghadi, which won three seats.Out of the 11 panchayat samitis in Satara district, NCP won 10. In Karad panchayat samiti, NCP won seven seats, Karad Vikas Aghadi seven, BJP six and Congress four.

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