BMC Elections 2026: Political parties in Mumbai are scrambling to finalise alliances, seal seat-sharing deals and announce candidates with just days left for filing nominations for the BMC elections. The deadline for nominations is December 30, with polling scheduled for January 15 and counting on January 16. Along with Mumbai, elections to 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra will also be held on January 15.
This year’s BMC contest is shaping up to be one of the most fragmented and competitive in recent history. The political churn includes the NCP opting to contest independently, the Congress exiting the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to ally with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) entering the BMC fray for the first time and a new alliance between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
Who is teaming with whom?
In a significant development, the Thackeray brothers are coming together. Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena will contest the BMC elections together. According to Indian Express, Sena (UBT) has so far issued 90 AB forms following internal consultations and ward-level reviews. AB forms formally certify a candidate as a party’s official nominee.
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The ruling alliance of the BJP and the Shiv Sena will contest the BMC polls together. Under the agreed formula. The BJP will contest 128 seats, while the Shiv Sena will field candidates in 79 wards. The distribution of the remaining seats will be finalised based on local equations and candidate strength.
AAP’s first Mumbai civic test
The Aam Aadmi Party has announced 51 candidates so far and has said it intends to contest all 227 wards. While the party lacks a deep organisational base in Mumbai, leaders believe its emphasis on civic issues such as basic services, transparency and governance could influence outcomes in closely fought wards, IE reported.
The Indian National Congress, which has stepped out of the MVA for the BMC polls, has joined hands with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. Under the arrangement, the VBA will contest 62 seats in Mumbai, with Congress leaders saying the alliance aims to consolidate votes among marginalised communities.
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Ajit Pawar’s NCP goes solo
Meanwhile, the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party has decided to contest independently in Mumbai. The party has released its first list of 36 candidates, ruling out any local tie-up despite being part of the ruling coalition at the state level. Leaders said the decision was driven by local political considerations specific to the city. |
