New Delhi: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election of 2026 is shaping up to be a political turning point in Maharashtra. Early trends suggest the Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is heading for a commanding victory, putting an end to the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena’s three-decade dominance over India’s richest civic body.
According to counting trends, the BJP-Shinde Sena combine is leading in more than 110 wards, a figure that places it within striking distance of a clear majority. On the other side Shiv Sena (UBT)-led alliance is struggling to keep pace with its tally hovering well below expectations.
For Uddhav Thackeray’s faction, the numbers are painting a worrying picture. The Sena (UBT) is leading in around 58 wards while the MNS is ahead in nine. Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) has managed to stay in contention in just one ward. The Congress once a major force in Mumbai civic politics is leading in only 10 wards.
Key wards throw up mixed results
Several high-profile contests have drawn attention as results trickle in. Sena (UBT) candidate Foram Parmar is trailing in Ward 1, underlining the party’s broader struggle across the city. However, not all news is bleak for the faction, with Gita Bhandari maintaining a lead in Ward 32.
On the Mahayuti side, Shinde Sena’s Varsha Tembelkar is leading comfortably in Ward 51 while BJP candidates Deepak Tavde, Ujjwal Veti and Neil Somaiya are all showing strong performances in their respective wards.
More to follow…