KOLHAPUR: Clinching Sangli Miraj Kupwad Municipal Corporation, BJP has made inroads into local self-governments in South Maharashtra , which until now were considered strongholds of Congress and NCP.Of the total 78 seats, BJP won 41 and Congress-NCP alliance won 35. Congress won 20 seats and NCP 15 seats. One seat was won by Swabhimani Vikas Aghadi and one went to an independent candidate. Shiv Sena , which fielded 56 candidates, could not win a single seat.Congress was ruling the SMKMC and NCP was in opposition since the 2013 elections. In 2013, Congress and NCP fought the election separately, against each other. Congress emerged winner with 45 seats. Following the BJP's campaign, to retain their stronghold, Congress and NCP fought the election as an alliance this time, but could not win the required majority.State revenue minister Chandrakant Patil said, "The results indicate people have faith in the government. We are thankful to the people of Sangli for their confidence in us and for giving us the chance to rule SMKMC."Total 451 candidates were in the fray with BJP fielding the highest number of candidates, 78, followed by Congress 44, NCP 34, Shiv Sena 56, Independent Vikas Mahaaghadi-43, Swabhimani Vikas Aghadi-20, Sangli Jilha Sudhar Samiti-21 and MIM-8.In Sangli, Congress was in power since Independence in the erstwhile municipality. SMKMC was formed in 1998, with the merger of municipal councils of Sangli, Miraj and Kupwad, towns located within 10-km radius.In terms of caste-composition, Sangli is dominated by the Marathas. Lingayats, Brahmins, Malis, Muslims and Dalits also have significant pockets of influence.

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