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In a historic shift for Mumbai’s politics, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance (comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena) has secured a decisive victory in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections held on January 15, 2026, with results declared on January 16, 2026. This outcome breaks the nearly three-decade-long control of the Thackeray family over India’s richest civic body, which boasts an annual budget exceeding ₹74,000 crore.
The polls, delayed for years due to pandemic fallout, reservation issues, and delimitation disputes, marked the first BMC election since 2017 and saw a voter turnout of around 52-53%.The high-stakes contest featured a rare reunion of estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT) and Raj Thackeray (MNS), who allied to challenge the ruling Mahayuti.
Despite their efforts to rally Marathi pride and address civic issues like infrastructure, roads, and flooding, the alliance fell short.
Exit polls had predicted a Mahayuti sweep (131-151 seats), and trends confirmed this momentum early in counting.
Key Election Results Overview (BMC – 227 Wards)
As counting progressed across 23 centres, the Mahayuti alliance crossed the majority mark of 114 seats comfortably, with final projections settling around 125+ seats. Here’s a consolidated breakdown based on latest trends and declarations:
| Party/Alliance | Seats Won/Leading (Approximate Final Projection) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BJP (Mahayuti) | 80-90+ | Emerged as single-largest party; strong in urban and suburban wards |
| Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) | 25-30+ | Key ally; contributed to majority |
| Mahayuti Total (BJP + Shinde Sena + allies) | ~125 (majority secured) | Decisive win; set to form administration and elect Mumbai’s next mayor |
| Shiv Sena (UBT) | 50-60 | Main opposition; held ground in traditional strongholds but overall setback |
| MNS (Raj Thackeray) | 5-10 | Limited gains despite reunion hype |
| Thackeray Alliance Total (UBT + MNS + allies) | ~70-75 | Significant loss; ends 30-year Thackeray-era dominance |
| Congress + VBA | 15-20 | Modest showing; isolated wins like Dharavi |
| Others (AIMIM, SP, Independents) | 10-15 | Fragmented; AIMIM secured notable seats in minority areas |
Note: These figures are based on evolving trends from sources like Times of India, NDTV, Indian Express, and ANI reports as of late January 16, 2026. Some wards saw close contests or delays, but Mahayuti’s lead was unassailable by afternoon.
Why the BJP Surge and Thackeray Setback?
- Development Narrative: Mahayuti campaigned heavily on infrastructure, metro projects, housing, and “Hindutva + development,” resonating in urban Mumbai.
- Thackeray Reunion Flop: The Uddhav-Raj alliance aimed to revive Shiv Sena’s legacy but was criticized as opportunistic; voters prioritized governance over family drama.
- Strategic Gains: BJP made deep inroads into traditional Sena bastions, capitalizing on defections and urban voter fatigue.
- Leadership Reactions: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis hailed it as a “record-breaking mandate” for progress under PM Modi. Uddhav Thackeray alleged irregularities pre-poll, but results reflect a clear public verdict.
This victory positions Mahayuti to control key civic decisions in Asia’s financial hub, from pothole fixes to mega-projects.
It signals BJP’s growing urban dominance in Maharashtra ahead of future polls.
What does this mean for Mumbai’s future?
Share your thoughts below!
#BMCElections2026 #MumbaiPolitics #BJPVictory #ThackeraySetback #MahayutiWins
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