Big win for BJP candidate in Mumbai civic by-poll

Pratibha Girkar, daughter-in-law of late BJP corporator Shailaja Girkar, defeated the Congress candidate by 7,607 votes

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Pratibha Girkar won the civic by-poll in Kandivli on Thursday, bagging a total of 9,591 votes. Pratibha, daughter-in-law of late BJP corporator Shailaja Girkar, defeated the Congress candidate by 7,607 votes. This victory has upped the BJP’s strength in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to 83 seats.

Ward number 31 fell vacant after Shailaja Girkar passed away following a heart attack in September. Now, her daughter-in-law Pratibha Girkar (in pic) has won the seat.

The Shiv Sena backed the BJP candidate in this election.

The Sena, however, continues to maintain a small lead in the BMC, with 84 sitting corporators, one more than the BJP. It also has the support of four Independent corporators, while the BJP is backed by two Independents.

The issue of six Maharashtra Navnirman Sena corporators defecting to join the Sena is pending with the Konkan Divisional Commissioner.

Ward number 31 fell vacant after Shailaja Girkar passed away following a heart attack in September. Two candidates — the BJP’s Pratibha Girkar, and Congress’ Neelam Madale — contested in the by-poll held on Wednesday. Girkar won 9,591 votes and Madale bagged 1,984 votes; 229 opted for NOTA (None of the Above).