India, Jan. 31 -- The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained control of the Akola Municipal Corporation on Friday after securing cross-party support from corporators belonging to both factions of the NCP (Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions) and independent members. BJP corporator Sharda Khedkar was elected mayor, defeating Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Surekha Kale.

In the mayoral election held in the 80-member civic body, Khedkar secured 45 votes, comfortably crossing the majority mark of 41. Kale received 32 votes.

The BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the corporation with 38 seats but fell three short of a simple majority. The Congress, which won 21 seats, attempted to stitch together an opposition alliance with like...