Maharashtra civic polls: Mahayuti set to rule Mumbai; saffron storm across the state
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is set to come to power in 25 of the 29 municipal corporations
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is poised to end the Thackeray clan’s nearly three-decade dominance of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with the BJP leading in 87 wards and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena ahead in 27, together bringing the alliance to the brink of the majority mark of 114.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) is leading in 65 wards, while its ally, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), is ahead in six. The Congress is leading in 22 wards, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in three, while among other parties, the AIMIM is leading in eight wards and the Samajwadi Party in two.
In Pune, the stronghold of the Pawar clan, the BJP is surging ahead with leads in 91 of the 115 seats for which trends are available, while both NCP factions are leading in just 17 seats in the 165-member Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Also read: BMC exit polls predict clear win for BJP-Shinde Sena alliance
Similarly, the BJP-led alliance is leading in 105 seats in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), while the Congress is ahead in 33. Nagpur is home to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari. However, amid the Mahayuti wave in the state, the Congress has surprised everyone by winning big in Latur Municipal Corporation.
Polling for 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards in these municipal corporations, including 227 in Mumbai, took place on Thursday. As many as 15,931 candidates are in the fray in the 29 civic corporations, which had 3.48 crore eligible voters.
Around 50 per cent polling was recorded in the 29 municipal corporations, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare said after the end of voting. A voter turnout of 52.94 per cent was recorded in the Mumbai civic polls, down from 55.53 per cent in the last elections in 2017, officials said on Friday.
In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), whose annual budget is over Rs 74, 400 crore, 1,700 candidates are vying for 227 seats in elections being held after a four-year delay. Except for Mumbai, the other urban bodies have multi-member wards.
Follow live updates of BMC election results here.
Live Updates
- 16 Jan 2026 12:57 PM IST
BJP overtakes BVA in Vasai-Virar as counting progresses
After holding on to an early lead for much of the day as counting began for the Vasai–Virar Municipal Corporation, the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi has now slipped behind the BJP. According to the latest trends, the BJP is leading in 65 seats, while the BVA is ahead in 50 seats, reported the Hindustan Times.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:47 PM IST
Athawale says Mahayuti set to claim Mumbai mayor’s post
Commenting on the BMC Elections 2026, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said vote counting was underway across Maharashtra and reflected a major political shift in Mumbai. He noted that Uddhav Thackeray remained in power for decades due to his alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, adding that “today, the BJP is the number one party in the country.”
Athawale said the Republican Party of India (Athawale) had also supported Thackeray since 2012, but no longer does. While acknowledging that Thackeray’s tie-up with Raj Thackeray may help in some Marathi-speaking pockets, he asserted that “most seats are going to the Mahayuti alliance,” adding that Mumbai’s next mayor would be from the Mahayuti and a Marathi speaker.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:44 PM IST
BJP confident of Pune civic majority as Maharashtra counting continues
As vote counting continued on Friday for elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, Union minister and BJP leader Murlidhar Mohol expressed confidence that the party would secure a comfortable majority in the Pune Municipal Corporation. Citing early trends, Mohol said voters in Pune had once again prioritised development, adding that the BJP was on course to form the civic body with a full mandate.
According to counting trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party was leading in 49 of the PMC’s 165 seats, while the Nationalist Congress Party alliance was ahead in six. The Indian National Congress–Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) alliance trailed with four seats, reported ANI.
In Nagpur Municipal Corporation, the BJP led in 76 of 151 seats, while Congress was ahead in 22. Trends from Thane Municipal Corporation showed the BJP–Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) alliance leading in 21 seats.
Meanwhile, the counting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation took place amid allegations by the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS alliance, which were later rejected by the SEC. Held after an eight-year gap, the BMC polls are set to give Mumbai a new mayor after nearly four years.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:34 PM IST
Mahesh Sawant says BJP faces setback as Mumbai politics shifts
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and leader Mahesh Sawant on Friday welcomed the trends emerging from Mumbai, claiming the results signalled a major political shift in the city. Referring to the entry of the two Thackeray cousins into active politics, Sawant said the opposition should be prepared to “pack up and leave," reported India Today.
Taking a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party, he added that it would soon become evident who would be forced out of Mumbai, suggesting a changing power equation in the state capital.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:32 PM IST
Congress’s Asha Kale wins Dharavi ward, thanks party leaders
Congress candidate Asha Kale won ward number 183 in Dharavi during the municipal elections on Friday. Expressing gratitude after her victory, Kale thanked Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad and MLA Jyoti Gaikwad for their support.
“With their blessings, we have won this seat. This is the victory of our party workers,” Kale told ANI.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:29 PM IST
Watch: BJP’s Navnath Ban wins Mankhurd ward as supporters celebrate
BJP workers celebrate after Navnath Ban won from ward number 135 in the Mankhurd area, according to early trend reports.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:25 PM IST
BJP's Pratap Patil claims Kolhapur civic win as counting continues
With vote counting still in progress across municipal corporations in Maharashtra, BJP leader Pratap Dattatray Patil on Friday declared victory in the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation.
“I believe in development, and that is why people have elected me. This is my second term. I am thankful to them and will work to meet their expectations,” Patil said while speaking to news agency ANI.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:11 PM IST
BJP wins four Latur civic seats; Congress takes Dharavi ward
The Bharatiya Janata Party secured victory in four seats from ward number 14 of the Latur Municipal Corporation. In a separate result, Indian National Congress candidate Asha Kale won the Dharavi ward by a margin of more than 6,000 votes, reported the Hindustan Times.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:10 PM IST
BVA leads Vasai-Virar civic polls as BJP, Uddhav Sena trail
Maharashtra elections result 2026 Live: The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) is leading on at least 84 seats in Vasai Virar, trends showed, as reported by TV channels. Meanwhile, the BJP, Uddhav Sena and Congress are leading on 25, five and one seats, respectively.
- 16 Jan 2026 12:06 PM IST
Shiv Sena alleges lathi charge on workers in Sambhajinagar, probe ordered
Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat on Friday alleged that nearly 100 police personnel carried out a lathi charge on Shiv Sena workers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He said several party workers were injured during the incident and demanded strict action.
Responding to the allegation, Police Commissioner Praveen Pawar said the matter would be probed. “The DCP will conduct an inquiry, considering the versions of both the police and Shiv Sena leaders, after which appropriate action will be taken,” he told ANI.
