'Who speaks for Hindus will rule,' says Nitesh Rane as Mahayuti crosses halfway mark in BMC polls

Mumbai: Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane on Friday hailed the BJP–Shiv Sena-led Mahayuti’s strong performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, invoking a Hindutva pitch as the alliance surged past the halfway mark in Mumbai’s civic contest.

Reacting to early trends, Rane posted in Hindi, "Jo Hindu ki baat karega wo Maharashra pe raj karenga (Those who speak for Hindu interests will rule Maharashtra)," followed by "Jai Shri Ram."

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His remarks came as the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena crossed the majority mark in the high-stakes BMC race, according to the latest counting trends.

Supporters across the state were seen celebrating as trends from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections showed candidates leading in several key wards. Congress leader Asha Deepak Kale secured victory in Dharavi Ward 183.

Speaking to ANI, Kale said, "The support of our MP Varsha Gaikwad and MLA Jyoti Gaikwad is the reason behind this victory. With their blessings, we have won this seat. This is the victory of our party workers..."

In Jalgaon Ward 19, BJP's Rajendra Ghuge Patil emerged victorious.

"...All mahayuti candidates have won from the ward. Two of the four were elected unopposed while Shiv Sena's Nikita Vanjari and I won today," Patil said.

After winning Jalgaon ward 19, Shiv Sena's Nikita Vanjari said, "It feels great...Our workers supported us well, so we thank them..."

Supporters of the BJP's Pratap Dattatray Patil celebrated in Kolhapur after his win.

Patil expressed gratitude to voters and said, "I am a believer of development. So, people elected me. This is my second term...I express gratitude to them, I will meet their expectations and work for them."

Meanwhile, BJP's Navnath Ban won Ward 135 in the Mankhurd area, with party workers celebrating the early trends of his victory.