By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Malegaon :Â Muslims of this handloom town called the "Manchester of Maharashtra" are all set to rule the local civic body. For, the Indian Muslim Congress Party (IMCP), a front supported by local Ulema and community leaders, emerged as the single largest party in the elections to the Malegaon Municipal Corporation declared here Monday.
In the 72-member house, the IMCP won 26 seats. It has also managed to secure the support of two Independents.
The leaders of the IMCP or the Teesra Mahaz (Third Front), stitched together by Mufti Muhammed Ismael, had fought with development as their agenda. Ismael was among the local community leaders who have been credited with helping the police keep peace in the town after serial bomb blasts hit the town on September 9, 2006.
In the overall picture, the JD(S) secured 12 seats, Congress bagged 15, including one candidate who was elected unopposed. The Shiv Sena managed to get seven seats, while the NCP and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena got two seats each. The Samajwadi Party (SP) won one seat and Independents made it at seven places.