PMC bypoll: Cong wins,Arvind Shinde holds on to chair

The results for the bypoll was announced on Monday,in which Congress’s Laxmi Ghodke defeated MNS candidate Indumati Phulaware in a closely fought contest. BJP and NCP candidates were also in the fray,but the contest was mainly between Congress and MNS.

In 2012 civic polls,the MNS had emerged as the second largest party in the PMC and managed to get the post of the leader of opposition for the first time. However,then MNS corporator Kalpana Bahirat was disqualified for submitting forged caste certificate during elections,bringing the MNS strength in PMC down so as to equal it to that of the Congress. The bypoll for the vacant post was held on Sunday.

MNS leader Vasant More had to give up the post to Congress leader Arvind Shinde after it was pointed out that as per the rules a national party should be given priority when there is equal strength in two parties.

For the bypoll,both Congress and MNS had pulled out all stops for the election campaign of their respective candidates.

The present Leader of Opposition,Arvind Shinde of Congress,had taken lead in the Congress campaign as his post was at stake and his leadership on test since the election was held in the electoral panel he represents in the civic body.

For MNS,the post of leader of opposition was important as well in view of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls next year. The party had emerged as the second largest party in its second term after the party formation and its rise in strength in the PMC was seen as a rising power in the city which it wanted to retain.

The party that been going through some very difficult times after its city MP Suresh Kalmadi was arrested,following corruption allegations in Commonwealth Games and a win here would have bolstered the morale of the party rank and file while going for the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls,Congress leader said. “It would also cheer up the party to check growth of NCP in the city and retain its hold in the city.”