New Delhi, Jan. 16 -- The local body elections across Maharashtra have once again proved that the BJP is still the powerhouse party in the state, with it managing to wrest away the BMC from the Shiv Sena after more than 25 years. However, the results also showed that there are signs of encouragement for the Congress.

The Congress decided to fight the Maharashtra local body polls solo this year, and chose to concentrate their machinery in areas they were confident of winning.

Out of the total 2,869 seats that were up for grabs this time, the Grand Old Party of India decided to contest in only 528. Out of these, they won more than half - 226 seats.

As per trends till 18:30 pm on Friday, the Congress is at the fourth position among partie...