Results of BEST credit society polls today; first test for alliance of Thackeray cousins
The election drew unusual political attention as it marked the first joint contest by Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
The two parties, contesting under the 'Utkarsh' panel, have fielded candidates for all 21 seats—18 from the Sena (UBT), two from the MNS, and one from the SC/ST Employees' Welfare Association. Their main challenger is a panel backed by the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, who currently control the state government.
The election is widely seen as a litmus test for the Thackeray cousins' renewed alliance, ahead of a series of municipal and local body polls due in Maharashtra in the upcoming months.
Even as leaders of both parties have admitted that the MNS does not have a strong presence within the BEST undertaking, the alliance provides a platform for coordination and a trial run before larger electoral battles.
The polls were held under the shadow of government scrutiny into the functioning of the credit society over alleged irregularities. The Sena (UBT)–MNS front has termed the inquiries as 'politically motivated pressure tactics'.
The BEST credit society has been under the control of undivided Sena in the past and Sena UBT since the past a couple of years after the split in the Sena.
Adding to the controversy, MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande on Monday alleged that rival groups were distributing cash to influence the outcome.
In a video shared on X, Deshpande claimed that a member of the credit society received a pamphlet with an envelope containing two Rs 500 notes. 'This game is to buy votes,' he alleged, while adding that a formal complaint would be lodged with the election officer.
Despite these charges, polling was reported to be largely smooth. The BEST credit society is significant as its members are employees of the civic transport and power utility, and the cooperative's influence extends into Mumbai's political and civic spheres.
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