PANVEL/thane, Jan. 1 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday opened its account in the Panvel and Kalyan-Dombivli municipal corporation elections even before polling takes place, with four of their candidates declared elected unopposed in their wards after officials scrutinised all nominations. In Panvel's ward No. 18, BJP candidate Nitin Patil was declared the winner after election officials rejected the candidature of the only other contender-Rohan Gawand from the Peasants and Workers Party, which is backed by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. Gawand's nomination under the Other Backward Classes category was rejected over alleged deficiencies in the documentation of his caste certificate. Patil's victory handed the BJP an early and symbolic lead in the 78-seat civic body. Panvel MLA Prashant Thakur said Patil's unopposed victory reflected public confidence in the Mahayuti alliance and its development agenda. "This result is a moment of pride for Panvel. The victory of Nitin Bhai Patil reflects the trust people have placed in the Mahayuti alliance," he said. Opposition leaders did not wish to comment on the result, but said the MVA would focus its campaign on civic issues across the remaining wards. With nominations complete, the BJP-led Mahayuti's slate reflects a clear bet on experience and organisational depth. Party lists show about 46 of the 78 seats have gone to former corporators or their relatives, while several candidates who narrowly lost in 2017 have been renominated. While the BJP is entering the campaign with momentum after securing one seat without a vote, the MVA is banking on a consolidated challenge in a traditionally saffron civic body. Balaram Patil, leading the opposition campaign in Panvel, said the election would turn on local governance. "Unresolved issues-property tax, road conditions, water supply and traffic-are at the centre of this election. Voters will judge accountability at the municipal level," he said. Over in Kalyan-Dombivli, BJP candidates Rekha Rajan Chaudhary from ward No. 18A in Kalyan East, Asavari Kedar Navre from ward No. 26C, and Ranjana Mitesh Penkar from ward 26B have been elected unopposed as no one else filed nominations against them. Gayatri Gavande, an independent candidate, was preparing to contest against Penkar, but election officials cancelled her nomination during the scrutiny of her documents due to undisclosed reasons. State BJP president Ravindra Chavan said, "Keeping in mind the credibility and positive image of the candidates, the opposition parties didn't file nominations against our candidates and that led them to win the seats unopposed before the election. There will be a Mahayuti mayor in the KDMC, and the performance of our candidates will be even better," he said....