Triumphant BJP Takes Command in Mumbai Civic Polls, Leaving Shiv Sena (UBT) in Opposition Chaos!
In the recent local body elections held in Mumbai, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the dominant force, clinching a total of 89 seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Uddhav Thackeray’s faction of Shiv Sena (UBT) followed closely, securing 65 seats and positioning itself as a formidable opposition for the first time in the BMC. Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, the BJP’s ally, won 29 seats, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and the Congress managed six and 24 seats, respectively. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar secured three seats, and the original NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar won one seat. In a surprising turn, the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) captured eight seats, while the Samajwadi Party garnered two.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed gratitude for the public’s trust, stating, “They have given a mandate for the agenda of development in this election, showing that they want development.” He emphasized the connection between Hindutva and developmental progress, asserting that their version of Hindutva is inclusive and broad-minded.
The results, released on January 16, 2026, cover 227 wards contested by approximately 1,700 candidates. While the BJP’s lead solidifies its influential role, it falls short of a sweeping majority. The Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, and Congress will collectively form the opposition, reflecting a dynamic shift in Mumbai politics. The BJP made significant inroads in middle-class and Gujarati-centric areas in north Mumbai, particularly in wards that had previously been Congress strongholds.
Historically, the Shiv Sena had maintained control over the BMC for two decades. In the 2017 elections, it achieved 84 seats to the BJP’s 82. The Shiv Sena (UBT) approached this election as a crucial attempt to reclaim its position and influence. Uddhav Thackeray’s strategic alliance with the MNS, initiated after 20 years, revitalized discussions on Marathi identity in response to the BJP’s growing influence.
In a notable result, the Shiv Sena (UBT) managed to penetrate key areas such as Dharavi, winning four out of seven contested seats. In Ward 185, the party’s candidate defeated BJP’s former corporator, underscoring a shift in local sentiments. Political analyst Suhas Kulkarni highlighted that the elections demonstrated a resurgence of Marathi voters rallying behind the Shiv Sena (UBT), which won in various Marathi-dominated wards, including Worli and Dadar.
The contest between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Shinde’s faction was particularly fierce, with the UBT claiming 64 seats to the latter’s 29 in 68 contested wards. A notable example of this rivalry was seen in Ward 194, where UBT’s candidate won by a slim margin of 603 votes against a prominent Shinde faction rival.
The AIMIM’s performance also marked a significant achievement, with victories in several Muslim-majority wards, demonstrating its growing presence in Mumbai politics. Despite experiencing a decline in overall seat count, the Congress demonstrated resilience in other municipal elections, suggesting potential groundwork for future contests.
These local elections not only reflect the shifting political landscape in Mumbai but also set the stage for future governance debates as parties position themselves for upcoming challenges.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/mumbai-civic-polls-bjp-wrests-control-of-bmc-shiv-sena-ubt-relegated-to-opposition/article70516068.ece
Category : Mumbai
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Publish Date: 2026-01-18 02:01:00
