In a big win for the ruling side, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance has taken control of most city governments in Maharashtra. On January 16, 2026, the results came out after voting on January 15. The alliance won 25 out of 29 municipal corporations. This includes a first-time majority in the big Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in Mumbai. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi got hit hard, winning only a few places. This victory shows strong support for the BJP and its friends like Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. People in cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur voted for development and PM Modi’s vision, leaders said.
The elections covered 2,869 seats in 893 wards across the state. Mahayuti got over 1,600 seats, while MVA managed around 400. The BJP alone won more than 1,300 seats. This is a record for the party in local polls. In Mumbai, the alliance crossed the halfway mark in the 227-seat BMC with 118 seats. This means the BJP can put its own mayor in India’s richest city body for the first time. The Shiv Sena, which ruled Mumbai for 30 years, lost its hold. Uddhav Thackeray’s group and Raj Thackeray’s MNS could not stop the wave.
Background of the Elections
These civic polls were delayed for four years due to court cases on reservations. Finally, they happened on January 15, 2026. About 52% of people voted, a bit less than last time in 2017. In Mumbai, it was 52.94%. The fight was between Mahayuti and MVA. Mahayuti means “grand alliance” with BJP, Shinde Sena, and Ajit NCP. MVA has Uddhav Sena, Sharad NCP, Congress, and sometimes MNS.
The campaigns focused on roads, water, health, and jobs. BJP talked about PM Modi’s schemes like clean cities and smart projects. They said Maharashtra needs strong local bodies for growth. Opposition blamed the government for high prices and bad roads. But voters seemed to like the ruling side more. In places like Pune, family fights in Pawar group hurt MVA. In Mumbai, Thackeray family reunion did not work well.
Elections were in big cities like Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nagpur, Nashik, and smaller ones like Latur and Jalgaon. Some seats had no contest—Mahayuti won 65 without voting. This gave them an early lead.
Key Results and Numbers
The big story is Mahayuti’s clean sweep. They won 25 corporations, leaving MVA with just four. In total seats, Mahayuti has over 1,600 out of 2,869. BJP got the most, with 1,318 wins or leads. Shinde Sena added about 300, and Ajit NCP around 100. MVA’s Uddhav Sena got around 200, Congress 171, and others less.
In BMC, Mumbai’s main body with a Rs 74,400 crore budget, Mahayuti got 118 seats. BJP won 88, Shinde Sena 30. This is above the 114 needed for majority. Uddhav Sena got 58, MNS 9, Congress 3, and others small numbers. This ends Shiv Sena’s long rule in Mumbai. Now, BJP will choose the mayor, maybe someone like Ashish Shelar or Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “We faced these elections with a vision of development under the leadership of PM Modi. That is why we got a record-breaking mandate. These results show Maharashtra relies a lot on PM Modi.” He added that Mahayuti will have mayors in 25 places.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari congratulated the team. “This win will boost the Mahayuti government. The trust towards Modi ji and BJP has to be maintained. We have received a massive mandate,” he told reporters in Nagpur.
City-Wise Breakdown
Let’s look at some key cities.
In Pune Municipal Corporation (165 seats), BJP won 90. This is their stronghold. Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar’s NCP together got only 20. Congress and others trailed. BJP will have the mayor here again. In Pimpri-Chinchwad (128 seats), BJP got 74, NCP 40. Pawar family lost ground in their home area.
Nagpur (151 seats) went fully to BJP with 84 seats. As RSS base, it was expected. Congress got few. In Nashik (122 seats), Mahayuti led with BJP 27, Shinde Sena 11, Ajit NCP 3. Uddhav Sena got 3.
Thane (131 seats) saw Shinde Sena win 27, BJP 14. Uddhav Sena 1, MNS 1. This is Shinde’s area, so strong show. In Kalyan-Dombivli, BJP 32, Shinde Sena 30. They won 21 unopposed earlier.
Navi Mumbai (111 seats): BJP 29, Shinde Sena 27. In Jalgaon, Mahayuti families won big. Latur was a win for Congress with 43 out of 70. Kolhapur had Congress leading 17, BJP 15.
In smaller places like Ulhasnagar, Shinde Sena 25, BJP 24. Nanded: BJP 26, Shinde Sena 10. Most went to Mahayuti.
Political Implications
This win strengthens Mahayuti for future polls. After 2024 assembly win, they now control cities. This means more funds for projects like metro, roads, and water. BJP’s first Mumbai mayor is historic. It weakens Uddhav Thackeray, who lost Mumbai control. Pawar family split hurt them in Pune area.
Experts say urban voters like Modi’s development. Low turnout shows some people not interested, but Mahayuti got the votes. Opposition needs to rethink. Congress did okay in Latur but bad elsewhere. MNS helped little.
Maharashtra minister Chandrakant Patil said, “There is no chance of going backwards. Out of 29, there will be Mahayuti in at least 28; most from BJP.” This shows confidence.
The win also means better ties between state and city governments. No fights over funds. For people, it could mean faster work on issues like traffic and pollution.
What Leaders and Experts Say
Besides Fadnavis and Gadkari, Eknath Shinde said, “People have voted for real Shiv Sena. This is a slap to those who betrayed.” He meant Uddhav group.
Uddhav Thackeray accepted defeat. “We fought hard, but results are not in our favor. We will come back stronger,” he told supporters.
Sharad Pawar said the reunion with Ajit did not click. “We need to work on ground issues more.”
A political expert from Mumbai University said, “This is urban Maharashtra saying yes to BJP’s growth story. Opposition looks divided.”
These statements show the mood after results.
FAQs
What is the Mahayuti alliance?
Mahayuti is a group of parties led by BJP. It includes Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP. They formed after splits in old parties. In 2026 polls, they worked together to win local bodies. This helped them get votes from different groups like Marathas, OBCs, and city people. They focus on development like better roads and jobs.
How many seats did Mahayuti win in BMC?
In Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Mahayuti got 118 out of 227 seats. BJP won 88, Shinde Sena 30. This is more than 114 needed for majority. It’s the first time BJP will have its mayor in Mumbai. The body controls big money for city work. Opposition got 70-80 seats combined.
Why did MVA lose so badly?
Maha Vikas Aghadi has Uddhav Sena, Sharad NCP, Congress, and MNS. They lost because of splits and weak campaigns. In Mumbai, Thackeray reunion did not excite voters. In Pune, Pawar family fights confused people. Low turnout hurt them more. Mahayuti had better organization and Modi’s name helped.
What does this mean for Mumbai?
With BJP mayor, Mumbai may see faster projects like coastal road, metro lines, and slum fixes. No more fights with state government. But opposition worries about fair fund use. BMC budget is huge, so changes in contracts and plans expected. People hope for clean water and less floods.
Which cities did opposition win?
MVA won four places. Congress took Latur with 43 seats. In Kolhapur, they led but close. Ahilyanagar went to Sharad NCP. Most others like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur to Mahayuti. This shows opposition strong only in some rural-urban mixes.
Will this affect national politics?
Yes, a bit. It boosts BJP before 2029 Lok Sabha. Shows Modi wave still there in cities. For opposition, it’s a wake-up call to unite. Maharashtra has many MPs, so local wins help in big elections.