from Rons Bantwal
for Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD)

Mumbai, Sep 1: Stephen Mendonca, an NCP candidate and younger brother of former mayor Gilbert Mendonca was elected deputy mayor of Mira-Bhayandar municipality after he defeated Yaqoob Qureshi of Congress.

Congress (I) had secured maximum seats in the recently held municipal polls for Mira-Bhayandar civic body at suburban Mumbai.  National Congress Party (NCP) had bagged 20 seats while BJP (9), B S P (1), JD (S), Lok Bharathi (1), Maharastra Nirman Sene (4), Independent (2).  This had necessisated a coalition administration since there was no other alternative.

Narendra Meha      Stephen Mendonca       Gilbert Mendoca

Though Congress (I) secured 33 seats out of 79 seats, NCP-led plan succeeded in forming coalition administration with the effort of Gilbert Mendonca after it reached an agreement with all the parties except Congress and Maharastra Nava Nirman Sene

Independent candidate Narendra Mehta who was backed by MLA Hithendra Thakoor was elected as Mayor defeating Congress candidate Chandrakanth Vaithy with a narrow margin of mere three votes.  Steven Mendonca was elected as deputy mayor defeating Congress candidate Yaqoob Qureshi.