THANE: The political supremacy of Hitendra Thakur  continued in Vasai taluka, the far western suburbs of Mumbai, when his Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVS) secured majority in the first-ever elections to the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC).

The results to the 89-ward VVMC was declared on Monday – a day after the elections – which registered around 45 per cent turnout.

While Thakur’s supremacy continued, social activist and Independent MLA Vivek Pandit, who is his political rival, too made inroads into the local corporation.

There were some surprises too – like Kiran Bhoir, who was denied ticket by the BVS, contested as an Independent and won the elections. “The work that he has been doing for the last several years have paid dividend,” one of his supporters said.

Soon after the results started pouring in, Thakur said that he was committed to the development of the Vasai-Virar region. Asked about the controversy pertaining to the villages which has been included in the corporation and seeking exclusion, he said that there was need to speak to the people, government as well as the new VVMC.

However, Pandit said: “Since the issue has been debated in the Vidhan Sabha, which is a law-making body, there is no need to discuss the issue in the VVMC.” But, he said that his agitation to continue.

As far as the current political situation is concerned, the MP is Baliram Jadhav from the BVA, who represents the Palghar constituency, while the two MLAs are Vivek Pandit (Vasai) and Hitendra Thakur's son Kshitij Thakur (Nalasopara).

Prior to the formation of the VVMC, the four municipal councils – Vasai, Navghar-Manikpur, Nalasopara and Virar were controlled by Hitendra Thakur, who has represented Vasai before the delimitation, three times.

Total Seats: 89

Bahujan Vikas Aghadi – 55

Jan Andolan               -- 19

Independents             - 08

Shiv Sena                   - 03

Congress -                  - 02

BJP             -                01

MNS                             01