India, Dec. 22 -- Early results from the ongoing counting of Nagar Parishad and Nagar Panchayat elections across 17 local bodies in Pune district show the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, emerging as the single largest force, highlighting its strong grassroots presence.

According to results declared by the time of going to press, the NCP has won 10 of the 17 municipal president posts. The Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, has secured four posts, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won three. Although counting was still underway in a few local bodies, the overall trend points to a clear advantage for the NCP.

The results have boosted NCP morale ahead of the upcoming Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation an...