Voting for Maharashtra’s civic bodies began on January 15, 2026, marking a crucial moment in the state’s urban political landscape. After years of delays, elections to 29 municipal corporations are finally underway, drawing attention not only because of their scale but also due to the shifting alliances and renewed rivalries shaping the contest. With development, governance and local accountability at stake, the polls are being closely watched across the state.
The spotlight, however, remains firmly on Mumbai, home to India’s largest and wealthiest municipal corporation. Control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has long been seen as a symbol of political dominance in Maharashtra. As voting commenced under tight security, the contest in the financial capital emerged as the most intense, reflecting broader power struggles playing out across the state.
Across Maharashtra, lakhs of voters queued up early in the day to exercise their franchise. The elections are being seen as a referendum on local governance, urban infrastructure and political leadership, especially after prolonged periods of administrator-led rule in many civic bodies.
Polling Begins Across 29 Municipal Corporations
Polling started at 7.30 a.m. across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra and is scheduled to conclude at 5.30 p.m. The exercise covers 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards, making it one of the largest civic electoral exercises in recent years. Security arrangements have been tightened across cities to ensure smooth and peaceful voting.
In total, around 3.48 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots and decide the political future of 15,931 candidates contesting the elections. Polling personnel, election officials and security forces have been deployed in large numbers, particularly in urban centres that have witnessed fierce political campaigning in recent weeks.
While most municipal corporations in the state follow a multi-member ward system, Mumbai remains an exception with single-member wards. This structural difference adds another layer of complexity to the electoral dynamics, especially in the state capital.
Mumbai at the Centre of a High-Stakes Battle
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation election is being held after a gap of nine years, following a four-year delay. With an annual budget exceeding ₹74,400 crore, the BMC is not only India’s richest civic body but also a powerful institution that influences urban development, infrastructure and public services in Mumbai.
As many as 1,700 candidates are contesting for 227 seats in the BMC. Over 25,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city to maintain law and order during polling. The scale of security reflects both the importance of the election and the intensity of the political contest unfolding in Mumbai.
The battle for Mumbai has largely turned into a face-off between the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance and the reunited Thackeray cousins. Their contest is being closely tracked as an indicator of shifting political loyalties and the future direction of urban politics in Maharashtra.
Political Realignments Shape the Contest
These are the first BMC elections since the dramatic split in the Shiv Sena in 2022, when Eknath Shinde broke away with a majority of the party’s MLAs and aligned with the BJP to form the government. This split fundamentally altered Maharashtra’s political landscape and continues to influence voter perceptions.
The undivided Shiv Sena had controlled the BMC for 25 years from 1997 to 2022, making the current election particularly significant. For the first time in decades, the traditional power structure in Mumbai civic politics faces a serious challenge from multiple fronts.
Adding to the intrigue is the reunion of Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray after two decades. Leading Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena respectively, the cousins have come together in a bid to consolidate Marathi votes, a move that has reshaped electoral calculations in Mumbai.
Role of National and Regional Parties
The Congress, once a dominant force in Maharashtra, is attempting to reassert its presence in Mumbai by stepping out of the shadow of its Maha Vikas Aghadi allies. In a strategic move, the party has joined hands with Prakash Ambedkar’s Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and the Rashtriya Samaj Paksh in the state capital.
This alliance reflects Congress’s attempt to carve out an independent political space in urban Maharashtra, particularly among voters seeking alternatives to the dominant regional formations. The impact of this strategy will be closely analysed once results are declared.
Meanwhile, rival factions of the Nationalist Congress Party have also explored local alliances in key urban centres such as Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, highlighting how regional considerations are shaping city-specific political strategies.
Elections After Years of Delay
Elections to these 29 municipal corporations are being conducted after a prolonged gap, with the terms of most civic bodies having ended between 2020 and 2023. In many cities, administrators have been running municipal affairs, leading to growing concerns over accountability and democratic oversight.
Of the 29 corporations going to polls, nine fall within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the most urbanised belt in India. Issues such as housing, transport, water supply, waste management and environmental sustainability have dominated campaign narratives across these cities.
The delayed elections have heightened public expectations, with voters hoping that elected representatives will address long-pending civic issues and improve urban governance.
Wide Geographic Spread of Voting
Voting is underway across a wide range of municipal corporations, reflecting the diversity of Maharashtra’s urban landscape. Major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Thane are voting alongside rapidly growing urban centres and regional hubs.
The list of corporations going to polls includes Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Nashik, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, Ulhasnagar and Thane.
Other cities participating in the civic elections include Chandrapur, Parbhani, Mira-Bhayandar, Nanded-Waghala, Panvel, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Latur, Malegaon, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Jalgaon, Ahilyanagar, Dhule, Jalna and Ichalkaranji, underscoring the statewide significance of the polls.
Counting and What Lies Ahead
Except for Mumbai, where the ward structure differs, all other urban bodies follow a multi-member ward system. This system often results in complex outcomes and coalition-driven governance in several municipal corporations.
Vote counting for all 29 municipal corporations is scheduled to take place on January 16. The results are expected to provide clear signals about voter sentiment, the strength of political alliances and the evolving priorities of urban electorates.
As Maharashtra awaits the verdict, these civic elections are being seen as more than just local polls. They are viewed as a testing ground for political strategies, leadership credibility and the future course of urban governance in one of India’s most politically significant states.
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