BJP-Shiv Sena Alliance Secures Edge in BMC Elections as Thackeray Factions Mount Stiff Challenge

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : In a closely-watched contest for control of the 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the BJP, in alliance with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, emerged as the single-largest party, winning 88 seats and consolidating its position as a dominant force in Mumbai politics. While the numbers give the alliance a strong foothold, no single party has crossed the halfway mark of 114 seats on its own, highlighting the continued importance of alliances in controlling the city’s civic body.

The BJP’s lead, combined with the 28 corporators of the Shinde faction, puts the alliance in a comfortable position to claim the mayoral post, a long-sought objective for the party. Despite the BJP’s extensive campaigning, mandal-level outreach, and promises of uninterrupted development under a “triple-engine” government, it fell short of the ambitious 150-plus seat target. Nevertheless, the party’s emphasis on growth and governance over emotional appeals resonated with a significant section of Mumbaikars.

A critical subplot in this election was the split within the Shiv Sena. The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction (UBT), contesting in alliance with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led in 65 seats, more than double the 28 seats captured by the Shinde faction. This outcome suggests that a large portion of the traditional Shiv Sena voter base stayed loyal to the UBT camp, despite the Shinde faction’s claim of being the “real” Sena following its state Assembly and local body victories.

The Thackeray brothers, however, failed to push past the 114-seat mark collectively, indicating that while they retained influence in several wards, their voter base remained fragmented. Still, both factions together gave the BJP-Shinde combine a tough fight, keeping the contest competitive until the last rounds of counting.

The BJP’s strategy of highlighting development and governance helped counter the emotional and identity-based appeals of the Thackeray factions, including the campaign focus on Marathi pride and “Marathi Manoos” sentiment. Voters appeared to prioritize infrastructure, civic improvement, and continuity in city management over traditional emotional narratives.

The Congress, contesting alongside the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, lagged behind, finishing fourth in the tally. While still relevant, its influence in Mumbai has noticeably declined compared to its past strongholds, reflecting the city’s shift towards the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT) as key players.

AIMIM made an unexpected impact by winning eight seats, a jump from two in the previous election. The party signaled its intention to consolidate its Mumbai and Maharashtra presence ahead of the 2029 Assembly polls. Raj Thackeray’s MNS secured six seats, maintaining a small yet strategically significant footprint, particularly in alliance with the UBT. Both parties will need to strengthen their organisational networks to leverage influence in future elections.

The two NCP factions, NCP (Shinde) and NCP (Sharad Pawar), managed a combined total of four seats, highlighting their limited reach in Mumbai compared to other regions of Maharashtra. This underscores the continuing dominance of the BJP-led Mahayuti and the resilience of the Thackeray factions in the city.

As results settle, the BJP-Shinde alliance prepares to formalize its control over the BMC, while the Thackeray factions emerge as a formidable opposition. With civic governance and development at the forefront of voter priorities, Mumbai’s municipal landscape is set for a competitive yet strategically balanced phase in local politics.

Brief Tally Highlights:

• BJP: 88 seats
• Shiv Sena (UBT): 65 seats
• Shiv Sena (Shinde): 28 seats
• Congress: 19 seats
• AIMIM: 8 seats
• MNS: 6 seats
• NCP factions: 4 seats

The election underscores the interplay of development-focused campaigning, factional loyalties, and regional identity politics in shaping Mumbai’s civic governance.