The Times of India

Mumbai's next mayor will be elected by corporators on January 28, 2026, following a lottery to determine the post's reservation category. The candidate with the most votes will win, with nominated corporators potentially influencing the outcome in the 227-member BMC House.

Voter dissatisfaction is evident in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region's recent civic elections, with a significant rise in NOTA (None of the Above) choices. In the 2026 BMC elections, over one lakh voters opted for NOTA, and in at least eight wards, these votes exceeded the winning margins.

Newly-elected corporators in Mumbai received guidance from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a three-day workshop. Discussions focused on the city's development plan, manifesto implementation, and a five-year roadmap. Shiv Sena corporators also plan to demand a 2.5-year term for the mayor, proposing a 2:1 sharing of committee posts with the BJP.

Mumbai's BMC House welcomes a youthful surge with 12 Gen Z corporators under 30, including Kashish Fulwaria and Disha Yadav, daughters of former politicians. These young leaders, many with backgrounds in business and healthcare, aim to bring fresh perspectives and address civic amenities, inspired by their families' political legacies.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has called on his newly elected corporators to be combative. He acknowledged the party's election results were not as expected. Thackeray stated that corporators must challenge what he called the 'rule of money power'. They are also tasked with opposing policies that harm Marathi interests. The MNS aims to be a strong voice in civic governance.

Mumbai's mayoral race remains uncertain despite the BJP-Shinde Sena alliance's clear majority. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) vows to fight for their mayor, accusing rivals of betrayal. Meanwhile, the ruling alliance assures a consensus candidate, with power-sharing talks underway, leaving the final decision pending.

In direct contests, Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS secured 36 wards against Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, which won 16. While the Thackeray cousins' victories were often narrow, indicating Shinde's inroads, his party achieved convincing wins in northern Mumbai, highlighting shifting political dynamics.

Uddhav Thackeray leveled accusations against DCM Eknath Shinde, suggesting that his apprehension towards the BJP was evident in his decision to move newly elected corporators to a hotel, aiming to thwart potential party switches.

Amid ongoing power-sharing discussions with the BJP, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has gathered its 29 new corporators at a prominent Mumbai hotel. With aspirations to secure the mayor's role for the initial 2.5 years and crucial committee positions, the Sena argues for justice in representation.

Following BMC election results, Uddhav Thackeray asserted Shiv Sena (UBT) remains strong despite BJP's alleged betrayal and attempts to buy loyalty. The Thackeray-led alliance secured significant wins in Mumbai's Marathi heartland, though they lost control of the BMC after nearly three decades to the Mahayuti alliance.

A 73-year-old woman tragically died after a fire erupted in a residential building at Lokandwalas Breeze housing society in Andheri (West). Firefighting teams responded swiftly, bringing the blaze under control within an hour. The victim was found unconscious and later declared dead at Cooper Hospital.

In a surprising twist in Mumbai's civic landscape, the AIMIM, under the dynamic leadership of Owaisi, has made waves by clinching eight seats, notably dethroning the Samajwadi Party from its Govandi bastion. The SP's prolonged dominance faced backlash from the youth, who rallied behind AIMIM's promising local candidates.

In a surprising turn of events, the Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation elections have led to a hung assembly, disrupting the usual political landscape. The Congress party captured the most seats, totaling 30, but the BJP and Shiv Sena alliance boasts a combined 34, leaving them just shy of a clear majority.

Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS leaders declared the fight for Marathi identity and dignity is far from over following BMC election results. Despite limited success, both parties vowed to fiercely protect Marathi interests against perceived attempts to undermine them. Raj Thackeray urged elected representatives to remain resolute, emphasizing the long-term nature of their struggle for a prosperous Maharashtra.

In a surprising turn of events, Dharavi's election results bucked the larger city patterns, with Congress and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena UBT clinching the majority of seats. Meanwhile, the Shinde-led Sena managed to secure a lone victory, and the BJP struggled to make any notable impact.

In a stunning turn of events, affluent candidates dominated the recent municipal elections in Maharashtra, particularly within Mumbai's civic body. The BJP and Shiv Sena-led Mahayuti alliance achieved remarkable victories across various corporations, indicating a significant shift in the local governance arena, buoyed by the presence of several wealthy corporators among the winners.

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.