Trends so far indicate that Shiv Sena, which has been at the helm of the civic body for 20 years, has emerged as the largest party in the civic house. The party is leading in more than 90 seats of the 227-member corporation, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the second position, leading in more than 70 seats. It is yet not clear whether the Sena will cross 100. It will need 114 seats to win power on its own.

Congress had a dismal performance indicating the process of Congress mukt Bharat. NCP also slided down. MNS proved it does not have any significance in the Maharashtrian politics.

"The BJP is the number one party in Maharashtra," BJP leader Vinod Tawde, who is also the state's Education Minister, told the reporters outside the party office in Mumbai amid bursting of firecrackers by BJP workers.

"This result is a befitting reply to Sena spokesperson Sanjay Raut, who had said the BJP did not have the 'aukat' (ability) to win even 40 seats in the BMC," Tawde said.

Kirit Somaiya who had levelled corruption charges against Shiv Sena hit out saying, "We have done it." Somaiya's son Neil has won the seat against Sena's Mukesh Karia.

"We have worked hard to reach the number one position in Maharashtra and have taken the party beyond Mumbai and Thane," Maharashtra BJP chief spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said.

By Premji