How parties changed tactics to reach goal

Following the Shiv Sena and BJP's decision to contest BMC elections alone, the ensuing political slug-fest saw leaders of both parties trying to ensure that they cause personal losses to each other. Nowhere was the effort put in by senior leaders to thwart the prospects of relatives fielded by their rivals more evident than in the manner in which BJP ensured that Sena MP Rahul Shewale's wife was defeated, and in Shiv Sena's targeting of Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar's brother Vinod Shelar — who was also defeated.

The civic polls, which saw the BJP make big gains from it's original tally of 33 seats in 2012 to 82 in 2017, has left a big dent in the Shiv Sena's kitty. Both the Sena and BJP engaged in a fierce battle to spoil rival candidates' chances of winning. This electoral fight turned personal with the Shiv Sena ensuring that Ashish Shelar's brother Vinod loss to Sena's Swapnil Tembvalkar.

Similarly, the BJP used all its tactics to ensure BJP's Anita Panchal win against Rahul Shewale's wife Kamini Shewale from the Shiv Sena. Panchal is wife of Sena rebel Dinesh Panchal, who had pleaded for a ticket but was denied.

A senior politician said that both parties went all out to secure victory. Shelar, with the support of his party workers, had campaigned extensively, but still could not secure victory.

A Sena functionary from the area insisted that Tembvalkar's wife was a sitting corporator and enjoyed support.