At a time when the state is seeing unrest over various issues, the BJP government has got a shot in the arm with two politically important cities Sangli-Miraj and Jalgaon (Khandesh) voting in its favour in the municipal elections. In fact, the BJP has never been in power there before.

The victory should be a huge boost for the party even as the Opposition is raking up issues such as reservation for the Maratha, Dhangar and Muslim communities. The political atmosphere is charged with the Maratha protests that had turned violent last month. The Opposition, and BJP's ruling partner Shiv Sena, have been expecting the tide to turn.