Mumbai, (The Hindu): National Congress Party (NCP) corporator J.D. Sutar was elected Mayor of Navi Mumbai on Thursday, and Congress corporator Mandakini Mhatre was declared Deputy Mayor.

The mayoral elections were scheduled on Thursday after the 2.5-year term of independent candidate Sudhakar Sonawane ended.

Mr. Sutar faced Sanpada corporator Somnath Vaskar from the Shiv Sena. For the Deputy Mayor’s post, Ms. Mhatre, Congress corporator Vaijayanti Bhagat and Sena nominee Dwarkanath Bhoir were in the fray.

Thane Collector Mahendra Kalyankar declared the result after 105 corporators voted in the House. Mr. Sutar secured 67 votes, while Mr. Vaskar received 38 votes. Meanwhile, Ms. Mhatre received 64 votes, Ms. Bhagat three votes and Mr. Bhoir 38.

All seven BJP corporators in the NMMC boycotted the election, signalling a break with ally Shiv Sena. “Since we had decided not to vote, there was no reason for our corporators to be present in the House. The NCP should be thankful to the Chief Minister for the second chance they have got with the BJP boycotting the election,” said BJP MLA Manda Mhatre.

Mr. Sutar said, “My immediate focus of work will be to take up the pending and ongoing developmental works with the administration.”

NCP leader Sunil Tatkare and Congress MLC Ashok Bhai Jagtap were present to celebrate their parties’ success.