Maharashtra Civic Poll Results: BJP Leads in 85 Bodies, NCP Retains Baramati'

On this breaking news broadcast, India Today’s Senior Correspondent Omkar Wable reports on the counting for the Maharashtra civic polls. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established a commanding lead, ahead in 85 municipalities, while its ally Shiv Sena leads in 41. In the high-profile Baramati constituency, Ajit Pawar’s NCP is outperforming Sharad Pawar’s faction, retaining the family bastion. Wable notes that 'BJP is still remain as the largest party in the Maharashtra even in the local body elections.' The results are seen as a semi-final for the upcoming BMC elections, where the Thackeray cousins have united against the ruling Mahayuti alliance. The Congress is contesting separately, highlighting divisions within the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.