The BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) poll are held in the city of Greater Mumbai. With Shiv Sena traditionally holding a strong hold in Maharashtra, the ruling-alliance BJP pitting against them in the civic polls, there could be a tough competition between them. Most likely, the Congress and the Raj Thackeray-led MNS might give a bit of competition but as far the results of previous BMC polls of 2012 is concerned, it looks tough for MNS this time.

This time, the BJP, for the first time is in the reckoning as a major political party in the civic polls, after they decided to go loggerheads against Shiv Sena on their home turf, reports The Indian Express. This shows the saffron party’s confidence and exuberance. Here we take a look at 5 key takeaways for the BJP:

→ Agreeing that this time, it will be a close fight between BJP and Shiv Sena, the BJP believes that its tally will rise considerably between 75-85 seats. Presently, the BJP has 32 seats. However, it remains uncertain, whether the BJP can get past the Shiv Sena, in the race towards the numero uno position.

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→ With the BJP finding itself isolated from the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP, it is experimenting by pitching in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis; and waiting for a positive impact from pockets in Mumbai. On the other hand, to stall the BJP, Shiv Sena is likely to transfer its votes in seats where it is on a weak wicket to non-BJP parties that includes the Congress.

→ The BJP is sticking on the development agenda under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

→ With the anti-incumbency factor against Shiv Sena, the BJP has ruled BMC for two decades, coupled with the anti-corruption campaign. The BJP is expecting these factors to work in their favour.

→ For BJP, a three-fold increase in seats tally can be made possible only if it manages to grab hold of its traditional Gujarati voters while managing to get Marathi votes.

→ It was part of BJP’s strategy to field more than 120 Marathi candidates in order to dilute Shiv Sena’s vote base. A depleted MNS may not be handy for the BJP, as the Marathi vote may not be split. However, BJP’s biggest worry is the tactical vote transfer being reportedly worked out between the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP in some pockets in suburban Mumbai.