As the counting of votes for the 29 municipal corporations of Maharashtra began on Friday (16th January), the trends are showing the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance heading toward a resounding victory. Since the outset of the counting, the BJP and its ally Shiv Sena have been leading in most wards. As the counting of the votes, which began around 10 a.m., is halfway through, the leads indicate the Mahayuti alliance heading towards a clear victory.
With the Mahayuti alliance marching towards a massive win, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted a congratulatory message on X, thanking BJP National President J. P. Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National Working President Nitin Nabin, and the BJP State President Ravindra Chavan for the electoral win. “BJP writes history once again at the Municipal Corporation Election 2025-26!” Fadnavis wrote on X.
BJP writes history once again at the Municipal Corporation Election 2025-26!
Under the visionary leadership of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji, along with the guidance of BJP National President and Hon Union Minister J. P. Nadda ji, Hon Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amitbhai Shah,โฆ pic.twitter.com/FWi013ZXnp— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 16, 2026
Thackeray cousins failed to gain ‘Marathi’ support in BMC
In a major setback to the Thackeray cousins’ reunion, the BJP-led alliance is headed towards a victory in the BMC polls as well. Leads show the BJP-led alliance leading in 118 wards out of the total of 227 wards of the BMC, where the voter turnout on Thursday stood at 52.90%. The Thackeray cousins, who were fighting for their political prestige, trailed far behind the Mahayuti with a lead in 85 wards. The BMC polls were last held in 2017 and were supposed to be held in 2022, but were delayed due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mahayuti has taken a significant lead in key wards of the BMC, including Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune, which have been an NCP stronghold. The BJP has been leading in the Nagpur, Thane, Pune, and Vasai-Virar corporations. As the Mahayuti crossed the majority mark in the BMC wards, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called up Mumbai BJP President Ameet Satam to congratulate him.
#WATCH | Maharashtra civic body elections | CM Devendra Fadnavis calls up Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam and congratulates him, as the BJP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti leads in the BMC elections.
(Video Source: Maharashtra CMO) pic.twitter.com/cEB0hSTm8z— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2026
The municipal elections witnessed an intense battle as the Thackeray cousins, who had reunited after two decades, contested against the Mahayuti to reclaim their political legacy. However, the poll results do not paint a positive picture for the Thackeray cousins, as they failed to revive their political legacy.
