The Times of India

Congress fell short of its BMC election target, securing 24 seats, seven less than in 2017. The party cited defections, lower spending, and reduced media visibility. Despite challenges, Congress aims to retain its 24 elected corporators and sees the outcome as a positive step, particularly in Muslim-dominated areas, with a focus on future public service.

Despite losing control of Mumbai, the Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, successfully defended their stronghold in South and Central Mumbai's Marathi heartland. The Sena (UBT)-MNS combine retained most seats in areas like Dadar-Mahim and Worli, winning against the Mahayuti in fierce prestige battles. This performance solidified their base even as some former corporators switched allegiances.

Mumbai's 2026 civic elections saw a significant shift, with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) weakened by the 2022 party split. The BJP-Shinde Sena alliance leveraged infrastructure development and a 'triple engine sarkar' narrative to gain ground, while the Sena (UBT) struggled with resources and a narrower voter appeal.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis credited party cadres and the BJP's development agenda for the municipal election victories, emphasizing the inseparable nature of development and Hindutva. He highlighted the people's faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the acceptance of the party's election issues. Fadnavis focused on infrastructure and investment, steering clear of divisive topics and stressing responsible governance.

The BJP has officially secured the mayoral position in Mumbai for the first time, showcasing a notable political triumph. With a slight gain in seats, the party, along with its allies, now holds sway over multiple municipal councils.

In a resounding affirmation of their governance, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance triumphed in Maharashtra's civic elections, clinching victories in 24 out of the 29 municipal corporations. Prime Minister Modi praised the outcome, crediting it to the NDA's commitment to transparency and progress.

Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena marked its presence in Mumbai's BMC elections by winning 29 seats, but the Thackeray clan's traditional grip on Marathi heartlands proved elusive. Although Shinde's party didnt achieve as high a strike rate as the BJP, its role is crucial for sustaining the ruling alliance's strength.

In a stunning political shift, the BJP has taken control of Mumbai's Municipal Corporation (BMC), effectively ending the Thackeray family's nearly thirty-year dominance over the city's civic governance. The Mahayuti coalition, spearheaded by the BJP alongside Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena, has surpassed the majority threshold, with the BJP poised to appoint the new mayor.

In a historic attempt to unify Marathi voters in the BMC elections, the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS alliance stumbled despite their efforts after a long hiatus. Holding onto their territories in south and central Mumbai, the Thackeray legacy struggled against the BJP's formidable push, especially in the affluent western suburbs.

Congress is leading in the Latur Municipal Corporation elections, ahead of the BJP in early trends. This closely watched contest unfolds amidst Maharashtra's ongoing civic polls, where the ruling alliance has shown strong performance. The LMC results follow a tight race in 2017, with the BJP then emerging as the largest party.

The AIMIM has achieved significant gains in Maharashtra's civic elections, particularly in Muslim-majority areas, leading in 74 wards and surpassing the NCP. The party secured its first-ever BMC seat in Mumbai and made notable inroads in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dhule, and other key cities, signaling a growing presence.

Under the astute guidance of Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP has clinched a remarkable win in the Maharashtra civic elections, showcasing its influence in metropolitan regions. With a dominating performance over traditional adversaries such as Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the NCP, the party's near-total sweep in urban constituencies showcases its growing supremacy and reshapes the political landscape of Maharashtra.

Early trends indicate the Mahayuti alliance, led by BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, is poised to end the Shiv Sena (UBT)'s 30-year dominance in the BMC. The alliance is leading in over 110 wards, with BJP showing significant strength. Similar trends are observed in Pune, where BJP is displacing the Pawars.

The BJP has decisively captured urban Maharashtra, securing leads in 23 out of 29 corporations and municipalities. In Mumbai, the saffron party, alongside its Mahayuti partner Shiv Sena, dominated the BMC, leaving rivals trailing. Similar trends emerged in Nagpur, Pune, and Thane, showcasing the BJP's strong urban foothold across the state.

Early trends in Mira Bhayandar civic polls show the BJP leading, while Congress is ahead in seven out of eight early results. Major alliances, including BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP and Congress-BVA, are in contention. Vote counting continues for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, held after a four-year gap, with significant political stakes following the Shiv Sena's 2022 split.

Early trends show the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance leading in the Vasai Virar municipal elections, where 1,234,690 voters are choosing representatives from 29 wards. This contrasts with the 2015 results where the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi dominated.

Congress candidate Asha Deepak Kale won Ward 183 in Dharavi by 1,450 votes, defeating Shiv Sena's Vaishali Shewale. The Mumbai civic polls saw a voter turnout of 52.94%, a slight decrease from 2017. Counting for the 227-member BMC elections, featuring nearly 1,700 candidates, is scheduled to begin soon.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has raised serious concerns regarding Mumbai's civic elections, pointing to missing voter names and malfunctioning EVMs. He questioned the timing of a recent BJP-Election Commission meeting and criticized early exit poll celebrations.

Voters in Thane, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai, and Ulhasnagar experienced confusion during municipal elections due to a new four-member panel system. Voters had to select four candidates instead of one, leading to delays and frustration at several polling booths. While some areas showed higher awareness, many voters struggled with the unfamiliar process.

Govandi and Pydhonie, known for their rich cultural diversity, witnessed a remarkable voter turnout, showcasing the community's determination to make a difference despite facing slight obstacles. From enthusiastic first-time voters to the wise elderly, all segments of society engaged in the electoral process, eager for a shift in local leadership.

The BJP-led Mahayuti expressed confidence in a strong performance across Maharashtra's municipal corporations, citing positive voter response in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Leaders believe development work and governance stability resonated with urban voters, projecting gains in Mumbai and other key cities. The alliance dismissed opposition allegations of irregularities, anticipating a decisive mandate.

In the latest elections in Mumbai, participation levels were commendable, yet voters faced challenges in identifying their polling booths. Adding to the tension was a heated debate over the use of marker pens rather than the customary indelible ink, as the Opposition raised concerns about potential fraudulent voting practices.

The neighborhoods of Ghatkopar and Mulund experienced a bustling atmosphere as voters flocked to the polls, particularly the Gujarati community rallying behind the BJP. High engagement was also noted in Marathi-centric zones like Bhatwadi and Amrut Nagar, where campaigns brought the community together to cast their votes.

The BMC elections in Mumbai, held after a gap of nine years, attracted a commendable voter turnout of about 54-56%. Early exit polls hint at a likely triumph for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, which could signal the end of the Thackeray family's 30-year dominance.