Panchayat victories a boost to BJP and allies ahead of Lok Sabha, Maharashtra polls

The ruling tripartite alliance Mahayuti, consisting of the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, has emerged victorious in the gram panchayat polls in Maharashtra. This victory comes as a relief for the BJP-led NDA ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and assembly election. The panchayat polls were the first electoral test for the Mahayuti against the MVA parties. The Mahayuti claimed to have won 1,399 of over 2,000 seats, with the BJP winning the most seats. The split in the Shiv Sena and NCP has weakened the opposition's position.