TheBhartiya Janata Party (BJP)swept the Maharashtra’s 2026 civic elections, winning 1,425 of 2,869 seats in 29 municipal corporations and ousted the Thackerays’ control of Mumbai’s cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), delivering a message that goes beyond the shores of Maharashtra.
In the 227-member BMC, the BJP has won 89 seats, and ally Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) secured 29, taking the combine past the majority mark. Uddhav Thackeray‘s Shiva Sena (UBT) – which held the BMC for 25 years – managed just 65 seats while his cousin Raj Thackeray’s MNS won six seats.
The Congress-VBA alliance got 24, NCP 3, Samajwadi Party 2, AIMIM 8, and NCP (SP) one, as per the final results.
Beyond Mumbai, the BJP also dominated municipal elections in other major Maharashtrian cities. It won 119 seats in Pune, leaving “united NCP – Ajit Pawar‘s led NCP had forged alliance with his uncle Sharad Pawar’s NCP(SP) – with just 30 seats – 27 for NCP and NCP(SP) at 3. The Congress, meanwhile, won 15 seats.
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Out of the 115 seats in Nagpur – the headquarters of the RSS, the BJP bagged 102 and Congress 34.
In Nashik, BJP secured 72 seats, Shiv Sena 26, Shiva Sena (UBT) 15, NCP 4 and Congress 3. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the BJP secured 57, Shiva Sena 13, the Congress 1, whereas other parties, including AIMIM, won 33.
Thank you Maharashtra: PM Modi says people blessed NDA’s agenda of pro-people good governance
Prime Minister thanked voters and stated that the civic results showed the NDA’s bond with people had strengthened. “Thank you Maharashtra!…The dynamic people of the state bless the NDA’s agenda of pro-people good governance… Our track record and vision for development have struck a chord,” he posted on X.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviscelebrated the win on X, “Marathi has won, Mumbaikars have won, Maharashtra has won! Along with all this, our agenda of Hindutva and development has won.”
Calling the mandate “historic”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the verdict shows trust in the PM Modi-led NDA’s development agenda, and congratulated Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, state BJP chief Ravindra Chavan, and party workers.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari also congratulated the leadership and workers, mentioning the win would add momentum to development. He also said that Maharashtra’s progress would gain strength under PM Modi’s guidance and Fadnavis’ leadership, as reported by PTI.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde said Mumbai voters backed the Mahayuti’s development pitch. “Our agenda was development. Some contested polls on emotional plank,” he stated. He further added, ‘People chose the development brand and voted against those who were in power for 25 years,” as quoted by PTI.
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Rahul Gandhi continues ‘vote chori’ allegations
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of vote chori.
Election commission gaslighting citizens is how trust has collapsed in our democracy.
Vote Chori is an anti-national act. pic.twitter.com/3FZKkDPwDg
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 16, 2026
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah flagged reports and viral videos alleging that inedible ink used in BMC polls could be wiped off. He called it another chapter of”vote chori” and appealed to the Election Commission to act with transparency and corrective measures.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, meanwhile, blamed Shinde for the BMC shift in a post on X. “Had Eknath Shinde not been a Jaichand to Shiv Sena, Mumbai would not have seen a BJP mayor. Marathi people will always remember Shinde as Jaichand.”
AIMIM expand footprint
Amid the broader saffron surge, Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM expanded its presence by winning 114 seats statewide, including 33 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, party leader Shareque Naqshbandi told PTI, crediting organisation and campaigning. ‘We have bagged wins from Mumbai to Chandrapur this time, he said.
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