India, Feb. 10 -- The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has swept the zilla parishad (ZP) and panchayat samiti elections in Maharashtra, results of which were declared on Monday. In this third and final phase in elections to local bodies in the state, the Mahayuti has won the backing of rural voters, after securing a sweeping mandate from urban voters in the first two phases. These polls also continued the Mahayuti's winning streak, which began with its stellar performance in the 2024 assembly elections.

In the elections to 12 zilla parishads, the Mahayuti alliance secured 553 of the 731 seats - the BJP winning 225, NCP 165 and Shiv Sena 162, respectively. The Mahayuti constituents are expected to secure a majority in 11 of the 12 district counc...