BMC election results were a shock for Congress. It refused an alliance with NCP which was ready to contest 65 seats out of 227. Priya Dutt was not consulted. Govinda was upset that his candidates were not given tickets and did not campaign. The leaders who predicted victory for Congress were proved wrong. Chhagan Bhujbal of NCP said the defeat was expected and they wanted an alliance but Congress did not agree.
Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena did not make much headway.
National leaders campaigned in BMC elections. TV channels had opinion polls.