Sena-BJP set to retain Mumbai, Thane; NCP wins Pimpri

Mumbai, Feb 17 (PTI): Overcoming the anti-incumbency factor, the Shiv Sena-BJP combine on Friday appeared set to retain the prestigious Mumbai and neighbouring Thane municipal corporations. In the 152-member Pune Municipal Corporation, where state's ruling Congress-NCP alliance fought separately, the NCP is leading the tally winning 38 of the 104 seats declared so far. The Congress has won 17. Springing a surprise, Raj Thackeray's MNS is second largest with 21 seats, BJP 17 and Shiv Sena 08. The Congress- NCP combine had won the elections to the Pune municipal body in 2007. In cash-rich BMC, the ruling saffron alliance which has a tie-up with Ramdas Athavale's RPI, has either won or is leading in 107 seats, just seven behind the magic figure of 114. The Sena is leading the table with 77 seats, ally BJP 29 and RPI one. The Congress has either won or is leading in 54 seats and NCP in 13. Seeking a larger political space for itself, Shiv Sena boss Bal Thackeray's estranged nephew Raj Thackeray's MNS is ahead in 27 places, up from 7 in 2007. The Sena-BJP combine had won 112 seats in BMC polls in 2007, just two short of the magic 114, but had enlisted the support of four independents later. In Thane where results for all the 130 seats are out, the ruling Sena-BJP-RPI combine has pocketed 62 seats, needing just four more for a majority. While the Sena garnered 53 seats and BJP 8, the RPI could not reap a good harvest and finished with just one. With seven independents also emerging victorious, the saffron alliance should not find it difficult to secure a majority.