According to these results, the
opposition’s strength is concentrated mainly in Latur, Vasai–Virar, Chandrapur,
Malegaon, Parbhani, and Bhiwandi–Nizampur municipal corporations, where they
may elect their Mayor. However, this cannot be considered easy. Observing the
functioning of the ruling parties in Maharashtra, it is evident that even in
corporations where they lack a majority, they will attempt to install their own
mayor. Through the use of “saam, daam, dand, bhed,” newly elected opposition
corporators may be influenced—something that has now become a familiar pattern
in the country. The anti-defection law has become ineffective, resembling a
toothless United Nations. Courts too appear largely unmoved in such matters.


