BJP Set for Massive BMC Victory as Thackerays Lose Mumbai Civic Grip
BJP-led alliance surges ahead in BMC with 116 wards, ending Thackerays' 25-year control as counting continues.
The BJP-led alliance is heading for a decisive victory in the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, with early trends showing the saffron party ahead in 116 wards. The Thackeray cousins—Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)—are struggling to maintain influence, leading in 82 wards combined, highlighting a significant decline in their decades-long Mumbai dominance.
In Mumbai alone, the BMC elections saw 1,700 candidates contesting 227 seats, with the civic body's annual budget exceeding ₹74,400 crore. The last BMC elections were held in 2017, when the united Shiv Sena retained control. This year, a four-year delay due to administrative reasons added intensity to the electoral battle.
Across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, the BJP continues to lead, with 1,212 wards showing their advantage, while ally Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is ahead in 305 wards. Congress is placed third with leads in 240 seats, mainly from Bhinwadi Nizampur, Nagpur, and Kolhapur, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP factions.
Also Read: Beyond Mumbai Setback, Congress Proves It Still Counts in Maharashtra Civic Polls
Pune also emerged as a key battleground, with the BJP leading in 80 seats, far ahead of the united NCP factions, which are showing leads in only nine seats. This underscores the saffron party’s strong foothold beyond Mumbai, as municipal elections often serve as a precursor to larger state-level electoral trends.
The elections, held for 2,869 seats across 893 wards, witnessed a voter turnout of 52.94%, determining the fate of 15,931 candidates across Maharashtra. Votes are still being counted in major urban centers including Navi Mumbai, Thane, Nashik, Kolhapur, and Nagpur, with results expected to finalize by late evening.
The BJP’s performance indicates a growing acceptance among urban voters, while the Thackeray factions’ declining influence signals potential challenges ahead in retaining their traditional strongholds. Analysts suggest this shift could reshape Maharashtra’s political landscape leading into the 2026 Assembly elections.
Also Read: Mumbai Gears Up for BMC Polls as Election Material Distribution Begins
