Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Election Results 2026: BJP-Shiv Sena Alliance Leads in Urban Strongholds; Counting Begins Tomorrow

Mumbai 2026 : Maharashtra went to the polls on Thursday for municipal corporation elections across 29 civic bodies, with over 15,900 candidates in the fray. The counting of votes is scheduled for Friday, January 16, at 10 am, and political parties, analysts, and citizens alike are eagerly awaiting the results that will shape the state’s civic landscape for the next five years.

Peaceful Voting Across Key Cities
Polling for all municipal corporations, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), concluded peacefully at 5:30 pm. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare reported that there were no untoward incidents, with voter turnout across the state standing between 46-50 percent by mid-afternoon. Kolhapur led with the highest participation at 50.85 percent, while Mumbai recorded 41.08 percent, Pune 36.95 percent, Nagpur 41.23 percent, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 43.67 percent, and Nashik 39.64 percent.

This marks the first civic body election in Maharashtra since 2017, heightening the stakes for all parties involved. Voting began early at 7:30 am under tight security measures, reflecting the importance of these elections for both local governance and political trends ahead of state-level contests.

Massive Contest in India’s Richest Civic Body
The spotlight is firmly on the BMC, India’s wealthiest civic body with an annual budget exceeding ₹74,400 crore. A total of 1,729 candidates contested 227 seats, making it one of the most hotly contested municipal elections in the country. Besides the BMC, other urban centers like Pune and Thane also saw fierce battles, with multiple alliances and independent candidates vying for control. Across the 29 municipal corporations, a total of 3.48 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise.

Exit Polls Predict BJP-Led Alliance Sweep
Exit polls from Saam TV, Axis My India, JVC, and Sakal indicate a strong lead for the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance in key urban centers, signaling a potential sweep for the ruling coalition in several civic bodies.

In Mumbai, Saam TV projects the BJP winning 84 seats, with its ally Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) securing 35 seats. The UBT faction of Shiv Sena is projected to win 65 seats, MNS around 10, and the NCP (SP), part of the UBT-MNS alliance, two seats. The Axis My India exit poll predicts the Mahayuti alliance winning 131-151 seats, JVC projects 138 seats, and Sakal forecasts a win for the Mahayuti alliance in 119 seats.

In Pune, the BJP is expected to dominate with 70 seats, followed by the NCP with 55, NCP (SP) 10, and the Shiv Sena (UBT) contesting independently projected to win 12 seats. Congress may secure eight wards, while Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS could claim five and two seats, respectively.

Thane, considered a stronghold of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, shows the Shiv Sena likely to win 72 seats, with BJP expected to secure 26. The Sena (UBT) and MNS are projected to get three and two seats, respectively.

Jubilant Data Studio’s exit poll presents similar trends across these cities. In Mumbai, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is expected to win 127-155 seats, while the UBT-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance could secure 44-64 seats. The Congress-led alliance may get 16-25 seats. In Pune, BJP may win 79-92 seats with NCP 48-61 seats. In Thane, Shiv Sena could secure 69-76 seats, while BJP may claim 26-30 seats.

Battle for Legacy and Urban Control
Mumbai’s elections highlight a high-stakes battle between the reunited Thackeray brothers and the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, marking the first major contest in the city after 20 years. Analysts note that the results in Mumbai and Thane will be key indicators of political strength for both the Shinde and UBT factions of Shiv Sena ahead of the 2024 state elections.

Party-Wise Seat Projections
According to Axis My India, the parties contested the elections as follows:

• BJP: 136 seats
• Shiv Sena (Shinde faction): 90 seats
• Shiv Sena (UBT): 164 seats
• MNS: 52 seats
• NCP (SP): 12 seats
• Congress: 150 seats
• VBA: 50 seats
• RSP: 2 seats
  Smaller parties and independent candidates contested across multiple wards, creating a competitive electoral environment.

Significance of the 2026 Municipal Elections
These elections are seen as a critical test of political influence in urban Maharashtra. With the BMC, PMC, and PCMC among the most influential civic bodies, the outcomes will impact local governance, developmental priorities, and strategic positioning ahead of state and national elections. The results will also determine the control of key municipal committees and administrative machinery, affecting civic services, infrastructure projects, and urban planning initiatives.

The counting of votes is set to begin tomorrow morning at 10 am across all 29 municipal corporations. Early results are expected to provide a clear indication of the political trends in Maharashtra’s urban centers, with both regional parties and national alliances closely monitoring every development.

As voters, political observers, and party workers await the announcement, all eyes remain on Mumbai, Pune, and Thane, where the fight for urban dominance is most intense. The 2026 municipal elections will not only shape local governance for the next five years but could also set the tone for Maharashtra’s political landscape in the coming state and national elections.

Team Maverick