In a major political upset, the BJP has become the single largest party in the Mumbai municipal elections, breaking the Shiv Sena's dominance of nearly three decades. The party also achieved a sweeping victory in Pune, decisively defeating the alliance of the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar-led NCP factions. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is poised to take power in 25 of the 29 municipal corporations where elections were held.
In the high-stakes battle for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Mahayuti alliance crossed the majority mark with 118 seats, with the BJP winning 89 of the 227 wards. Its ally, the Shiv Sena, secured 29 seats. The Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats, while the Congress, in an alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, managed to win 24 seats.
Among other parties, Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena won six seats, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) got only one seat, AIMIM eight, Ajit Pawar-led NCP three, and the Samajwadi Party two.
The BJP-led alliance is now set to control India's richest civic body, which has a budget of over Rs 74,000 crore for 2025-26.
The BJP maintained its stronghold on Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, defeating the combined forces of the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar NCP factions. In Thane, Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena, in alliance with the BJP, dominated his home turf, while in Nagpur and Nashik, the BJP comfortably retained power.
The Congress managed to emerge as the single largest party in Latur, Bhiwandi, and Kolhapur.
Who are the likely Mumbai mayoral candidates?
With the Mahayuti alliance securing a majority, the next mayor of Mumbai is certain to be from the BJP or Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde). While the official nomination process will begin shortly, several prominent names and "new faces" have emerged as potential contenders.
From the BJP, the following names are doing the rounds:
also read
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- BMC polls: Annamalai hits back at Thackerays with 'failed strategy' remark after Mahayuti's historic win
Makarand Narwekar: A high-profile winner from Colaba and brother of Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. He is considered a frontrunner due to his seniority and influence.
Navnath Ban: The party spokesperson and media chief won ward number 135 in Mumbai’s Mankhurd area and is considered to be close to Fadnavis.
Yogita Sunil Koli: After her landslide victory in Malad, her name is circulating as a potential candidate to represent the party’s growing urban footprint.
Tejaswee Abhishek Ghosalkar: An emerging leader holding significant influence in important northern and central city wards. She managed a decisive victory in the Dahisar election, earning an impressive 16,484 votes.
From the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), one name being discussed is that of Ankit Prabhu, son of former mayor Sunil Prabhu.
