BMC Polls 2026: Candidates’ Asset Declarations, Shifting Alliances Add Heat to Mumbai Civic Battle

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : As campaigning intensifies for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections 2026, affidavits filed by candidates have revealed a sharp rise in personal assets among several prominent contenders, drawing public attention amid an already charged political atmosphere. With nearly 1,700 candidates contesting for 227 wards and polling scheduled for January 15, the civic battle in India’s financial capital has entered a decisive phase.

Among the most striking disclosures is that of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar, who is contesting from Lower Parel’s Ward No. 199. According to her affidavit submitted to the State Election Commission, Pednekar has declared assets worth Rs 5.26 crore, representing a steep increase of about 226 per cent from the Rs 1.61 crore she reported in 2017. Her declaration includes immovable assets valued at Rs 4.69 crore and movable assets amounting to Rs 57 lakh. Pednekar served as Mumbai’s mayor from 2019 to 2022, a period marked by significant political changes within the Shiv Sena and the city’s civic administration.

The asset disclosures come at a time when political activity has sharply escalated across Maharashtra. Major parties such as the BJP, Shiv Sena factions, Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are aggressively mobilising workers, finalising ward-level strategies, and exchanging allegations as they vie for control of the country’s richest municipal body.

Adding to the political buzz, MNS chief Raj Thackeray has announced that he will share the stage with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray at a joint election rally in Thane on January 12. The move has generated widespread interest, as it signals a rare show of unity between the two cousins and could have implications for voter consolidation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has stepped up preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of polling. Officials said logistics, staffing, and security arrangements are being finalised to manage voting across all 227 wards. Counting of votes is scheduled for January 16, and authorities have assured strict adherence to electoral guidelines to maintain transparency and order.

In another significant development ahead of the civic polls, 12 suspended Congress councillors from the Ambernath municipal council joined the BJP on Thursday in the presence of state BJP chief Ravindra Chavan. The switch came a day after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated that the BJP would not form an alliance with the Congress in Ambernath, highlighting the fluid political alignments at the local level.

On the policy front, political parties have begun pitching their visions for Mumbai’s future. The NCP has released its manifesto promising inclusive development, transparent governance, and major infrastructure upgrades aimed at transforming Mumbai into a global city. Its proposals include constructing 500 km of new roads over five years, strengthening bridges and flyovers, introducing AI-based traffic management systems, and developing new economic hubs across key areas.

The Mumbai Congress has also unveiled its manifesto, focusing on environmental and social welfare measures such as improving air quality and introducing a universal health card to provide free medicines to residents.

Voting for the BMC elections will take place on January 15 from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm. The civic polls will also cover elections to 20 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, making it one of the largest local body election exercises in the state.

Team Maverick.