BJP Suffers Setback in Bhiwandi as 9 Corporators Back Congress for Mayoral Polls

• Nine BJP corporators in Bhiwandi-Nizampur civic body extended support to the Congress-led alliance for mayoral polls.
• This move helps the Congress-NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) alliance cross the halfway mark of 46 in the 90-member body.
• The split occurred after BJP changed its mayoral candidate from Narayan Chaudhary to Sneha Mehul Patil, leading to protests.
• Narayan Chaudhary confirmed discussions with the Secular Front after feeling unsupported by his party and allies.
• Congress, the single largest party with 30 seats, is now poised to install its own mayor and deputy mayor.