BJP Emerges as Single Largest Party in BMC Elections
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections witnessed a historic shift as the BJP broke the three-decade-old dominance of the undivided Shiv Sena to emerge as the single largest party. In Pune, the BJP also secured a significant victory by defeating the alliance of NCP factions.
The BJP-led alliance is set to secure around 125 out of 227 seats in BMC, which is known as India’s richest civic body with a massive budget of Rs 74,427 crore for 2025-26.
The counting of votes for the elections in Mumbai and 28 other municipal corporations, including Pune, took place on Friday following a 54.77% voter turnout.
With Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena also performing well, the BJP is now poised to take control of the cash-rich BMC.
The high-stakes battle for BMC saw the Thackeray cousins reunite after two decades, only to face disappointment as the election results unfolded.
In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporation polls, the BJP is heading towards a landslide victory, leaving the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and NCP (SP) alliance far behind.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has emerged as a key figure in the BJP’s success, surpassing the party’s previous record of 82 seats in the 2017 BMC elections.
With the BJP’s ‘Mission Mumbai’ triumph, the party has firmly established itself as a major political force in the financial capital.
This election result signifies a significant shift in Mumbai’s power dynamics, as the BMC, once considered the stronghold of the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, now reflects a mandate for the BJP’s agenda of ‘vikas’ (development) and urban infrastructure.
BJP leader Nitesh Rane attributed the party’s strong showing in the Mumbai civic polls to its Hindutva pitch during the campaign, declaring, “Those who speak for Hindu interests will rule Maharashtra.”
Meanwhile, in Nagpur, where CM Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari hold sway, the BJP is on track to surpass its 2017 tally in the municipal corporation elections.
The Congress secured a clear majority in the Latur Municipal Corporation, winning over 40 seats in the 70-member body, leaving the BJP trailing behind.
Prior to the elections, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray reunited, while rival NCP factions formed alliances in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, setting the stage for an intriguing political landscape.
The elections for the 29 municipal corporations, held on January 15 after a long hiatus, marked a significant event in Maharashtra’s political landscape. These municipalities play a crucial role in the state’s governance and development.
Overall, the BJP’s remarkable performance in the BMC and other municipal corporation elections signifies a shift towards a development-focused narrative in Mumbai politics, marking a new era for the city’s governance and future prospects.
