KALYAN: The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) elections are witnessing a high-voltage political contest among multiple alliances, including the BJP–Shiv Sena–RPI combine, the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance, the Congress–NCP (SP) front, and the NCP led by Ajit Pawar, across the civic body limits in Maharashtra’s Thane district.While the BJP and Shiv Sena are contesting together as Mahayuti allies in most wards.Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leads with 18 seats, BJP 26, MNS 4, and Shiv Sena (UBT) 2.
Voter turnout in Kalyan-Dombivli stood at 52.11%, according to estimates, marking an increase of around three percentage points compared to the 2015 civic polls.Turnout remained relatively low until early afternoon in KDMC, Ulhasnagar and Bhiwandi-Nizampur municipal corporations but picked up later in the day. In KDMC, voting was held for 122 seats.To ease congestion and reduce long queues, the civic administration set up polling booths not only in schools but also in housing complex car parks. Polling in KDMC was largely peaceful.In Panel No. 29 of KDMC, additional police deployment was made following clashes between BJP and Shiv Sena workers in the days leading up to polling. Police were also seen turning back vehicles allegedly arriving from Badlapur to prevent any untoward incidents.Meanwhile, several other Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) corporations, including Vasai-Virar and Kalyan-Dombivli, recorded slightly higher voter turnout compared to previous civic elections, according to estimates released on Thursday night. In contrast, Bhiwandi and Ulhasnagar appeared to have registered a dip in turnout.However, voters in Kalyan-Dombivli faced some confusion due to the implementation of the four-member panel system. At a few polling stations, voters hesitated when they did not hear the confirmation “beep” after pressing buttons on the electronic voting machines (EVMs). Poll officials stepped in to guide voters, explaining that they were required to vote separately for each of the four candidates listed on different EVMs under the panel system.
