AIMIM Emerges Strong, Arun Gawli’s Daughters Lose in BMC Elections

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Both daughters of former gangster and ex-MLA Arun Gawli suffered defeats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, marking a tough outing for the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABHS). Geeta Gawli, a three-time BMC corporator, lost Ward No. 212 to Samajwadi Party candidate Amrin Shezad Abrahani. Her sister Yogita, contesting her maiden election from Ward No. 207, was defeated by BJP candidate Rohidas Lokhande.

The results come months after Arun Gawli’s release from Nagpur Central Jail in September 2025, following bail granted by the Supreme Court. Despite his return to the political scene, his party struggled to make an impact in the Mumbai civic polls.

While the ABHS faced setbacks, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) recorded historic gains across Maharashtra, signaling a shift in minority voting patterns. AIMIM won 125 seats across 13 of the 29 municipal corporations that went to the polls, displacing traditional players such as the Samajwadi Party and Congress in key regions. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad), the party reinforced its dominance with 33 corporators elected, maintaining its stronghold.

In Mumbai, AIMIM made significant inroads, securing eight seats in minority-dominated wards. The party’s performance in other cities was equally impressive: 15 seats in Nanded, 12 in Amravati, 10 in Dhule, six in Nagpur, and five in Thane. In Malegaon, however, the Islam Party under the Malegaon Secular Front emerged as the leading force, winning 35 seats in Malegaon East and securing the Mayor’s position.

Solapur witnessed unprecedented success for AIMIM, which won eight seats, including all candidates in Wards 14 and 20, emerging as the second-largest party in the corporation behind the BJP. In Nagpur, AIMIM’s victories included a clean sweep in Ward No. 6 and the election of Alisha Fahim Khan (wife of Fahim Khan) from Ward 3-D.

The BMC results highlight the growing influence of AIMIM in urban Maharashtra, as Muslim voters increasingly shift away from the Congress-led MVA alliance and the Samajwadi Party. By securing 125 seats, AIMIM is positioning itself as a potential “kingmaker” in several hung municipal corporations where no major alliance commands a clear majority.

Political analysts suggest that AIMIM’s rise reflects a consolidation of minority votes around a party perceived as directly addressing community concerns, while traditional alliances struggle to retain their historical base. For Arun Gawli’s ABHS, the results underscore the challenges of reviving the party’s relevance in a changing political landscape, even with the return of its founder.

With AIMIM’s surge and the setback for the Gawli family, Maharashtra’s municipal elections have underscored both the evolving dynamics of minority politics and the continuing fragmentation of regional parties in urban centers.

Brief Highlights:

• Geeta Gawli (ABHS): Lost Ward 212 to SP
• Yogita Gawli (ABHS): Lost Ward 207 to BJP
• AIMIM: 125 seats across 13 corporations
• BMC: AIMIM wins 8 seats
• Solapur: 8 seats, second-largest party behind BJP
• Nagpur: 6 seats, including Ward 6 clean sweep

This election marks a pivotal moment for urban minority representation, with AIMIM emerging as a key influencer in Maharashtra’s municipal politics.