The Congress party has staged a strong comeback in the Latur Municipal Corporation (LMC) elections, securing a clear majority in the 70-member civic body.
According to official results, Congress won 43 seats, followed by the BJP with 22 seats, the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) with 4 seats, and the NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) with 1 seat.
The results mark a major reversal from the 2017 elections, when the BJP had won 36 seats, and Congress finished second with 33.
Local observers believe BJP Maharashtra president Ravindra Chavan's controversial remarks on late Congress leader and former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh days before polling may have consolidated votes in favour of Congress.
Chavan had said memories of Deshmukh would be "wiped out" in his hometown, remarks that drew sharp criticism and led to a public apology.
Among individual winners, former Congress mayor Deepak Sul retained his influence in Ward No. 10, while former mayor Vikrant Gojamgunde, who left Congress to join NCP, won comfortably in Ward No. 5.
BJP spokesperson Prerana Honrao defeated Congress's Smita Khanapure in Ward No. 15, showing mixed fortunes for party veterans.
With a clear majority, Congress is expected to claim the mayor's post, giving the party a strong position in the LMC.
The victory not only restores its presence in the city but also highlights voters' rejection of divisive political statements in the run-up to the polls.
The LMC elections were held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, and witnessed keen competition across all 70 wards, reflecting the city's dynamic political environment.