Thane, Jan. 2 -- Seven candidates from the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena were elected unopposed in the Thane Municipal polls on Friday.

They met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his residence to express their gratitude.

The seven Shiv Sena candidates were declared winners even before a single vote was cast, as opposition parties and other candidates either withdrew or had their nominations rejected.

The party workers and supporters celebrated soon after the opposition party backed out, and the leader was elected unopposed.

Polling for 29 municipal corporation elections across the state, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad, will be held on January 15, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.

Friday was the...