High Stakes as Maharashtra Votes in Crucial Civic Elections, Focus on BMC Battle

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Voting for elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra began on Thursday morning, marking a major political moment for the state. The spotlight is firmly on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is engaged in a high-stakes contest with the reunited Thackeray cousins for control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India’s largest and wealthiest civic body.

Polling for 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards commenced at 7.30 am and will continue until 5.30 pm under tight security arrangements. In total, 3.48 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise and decide the fate of 15,931 candidates contesting these crucial local body elections. Counting of votes is scheduled for January 16.

The civic polls carry added political significance as they are the first BMC elections since the dramatic split in the Shiv Sena in 2022. That split saw Eknath Shinde break away with a majority of party legislators, align with the BJP, and eventually assume office as chief minister. Shinde is currently serving as deputy chief minister in the BJP-led Mahayuti government, making the outcome of the BMC elections a key test of the post-split political realignment in Maharashtra.

In Mumbai, civic elections are being held after a gap of nine years, following a prolonged four-year delay. A total of 1,700 candidates are contesting for 227 seats in the BMC, which commands an annual budget of more than Rs 74,400 crore, underscoring its financial and administrative importance.

To ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of polling, more than 25,000 police personnel have been deployed across Mumbai. Statewide, out of the total 39,092 polling stations, 3,196 have been identified as sensitive and placed under heightened security.

According to official figures, the electorate of 3.48 crore voters includes 1.81 crore men, 1.66 crore women, and 4,596 voters in the ‘other’ category. Voting is being conducted through electronic voting machines (EVMs). Across Maharashtra, 43,958 control units and 87,916 ballot units have been deployed, with Mumbai alone accounting for 11,349 control units and 22,698 ballot units.

The results are expected to have a significant impact on Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Team Maverick