BJP Secures Decisive Mandate in BMC Elections, Fadnavis Highlights 45% Vote Share

Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday described the BJP’s performance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections as a “decisive mandate,” highlighting the party’s strong 45 per cent vote share and its success in winning more seats than Shiv Sena (UBT) despite contesting fewer wards.

Addressing BJP workers a day after the BJP–Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alliance claimed 118 of the 227 seats, Fadnavis emphasised that direct comparisons with the 2017 BMC elections were misleading. “In 2017, we contested all 227 seats and won 82. This time, we contested only 135 seats and still won 89. That clearly shows our organisational strength and public support,” he said.

The Chief Minister pointed out that while the BJP secured 45 per cent of the total votes, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT), which fielded candidates in around 30 more wards, managed only a 27 per cent vote share. “This clearly reflects the strong mandate and trust we have earned from the people of Mumbai. It is a very happy moment for the party,” Fadnavis noted.

Recalling the BJP’s journey in Mumbai, he said it had long been the party’s ambition to emerge as the single largest political force in the city after years of organisational groundwork. “We had topped the Mumbai assembly polls in 2014, 2019, and 2024, and in 2017, we narrowly missed being the largest party in the BMC by just two seats. This victory confirms that the people support our development agenda,” he said.

Fadnavis further explained that in several wards, the BJP lost by very narrow margins and, had those results gone slightly differently, the party could have crossed the 100-seat mark. “No party has ever won 89 seats in the previous three BMC elections. Our alliance with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena secured a clear majority, even though some seats were lost by narrow margins,” he added.

Highlighting the inclusivity of the party’s support base, Fadnavis said, “We have won in slums, high-rise buildings, Koliwadas, and chawls. People from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds have backed us. This is a victory of Team Mumbai.”

Looking ahead, the Chief Minister outlined the government’s vision for the city. He said his administration aims to transform Mumbai into a world-class, clean, and livable city, ensure transparent and citizen-focused civic governance, complete ongoing development projects within the next two to three years, and roll out new initiatives after the Mayor is officially appointed.

Fadnavis concluded by expressing confidence that the BMC victory would reinforce the BJP’s commitment to urban development and inclusive governance in Mumbai, reflecting the aspirations of the city’s diverse population.

Team Maverick.