The counting of votes for elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra began on Friday morning, and early trends point to a strong start for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. As per initial figures shown by multiple TV channels, the Mahayuti is leading in around 250 of the total 2,869 seats, setting the tone for a high-stakes civic verdict that could reshape urban politics in the state.
In Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), however, the contest remains too close to call, with the BJP locked in a tight battle against the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT).
Read More :- Maharashtra Civic Polls: Mumbai Takes Centre Stage as Voting Begins Across 29 Municipal Corporations
Early trends across key cities
The civic elections, held on January 15, covered 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards. Results are expected to trickle in through the day, with particular focus on major urban centres such as Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kalyan-Dombivli, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar and Ulhasnagar.
Early leads suggest the BJP-led Mahayuti has made gains in several corporations, while opposition alliances are putting up a fight in select pockets, especially in Mumbai and Pune.
Why these elections matter
This round of civic polls has drawn unusual attention due to dramatic political realignments in Maharashtra. Former allies have split, old rivals have come together, and local equations have shifted sharply over the past year.
One of the biggest talking points has been the reunion of the Thackeray cousins. After years of political rivalry, Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray joined hands ahead of the civic polls, aiming to consolidate the Marathi vote in urban Maharashtra.
Adding another layer to the contest, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is pitted against Sharad Pawar’s NCP (SP) faction in key civic battles, including Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, making the outcome politically significant beyond municipal governance.
29 municipal corporations that went to polls
The elections covered some of Maharashtra’s most influential civic bodies, including Mumbai (BMC), Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivli, Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayandar, Ulhasnagar, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur, Solapur, Amravati, Akola, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad, Jalgaon, Latur, Malegaon, Dhule, Jalna, Ichalkaranji, Panvel, Bhiwandi-Nizampur, Nanded-Waghala, Chandrapur, Parbhani and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Voter turnout snapshot
Polling was held from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm on Thursday. While final turnout data is still awaited, State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare indicated that overall voting across the 29 civic bodies hovered between 46% and 50%.
By 3:30 pm, Kolhapur recorded the highest turnout at 50.85%. Other cities with relatively higher participation included Parbhani, Thane, Vasai-Virar and Panvel. Mumbai’s BMC, meanwhile, saw turnout of around 41%, once again reflecting urban voter apathy in the country’s financial capital.
Read More :- Who Controls Mumbai? BMC Polls Turn Into a High-Stakes Battle for Maharashtra’s Political Future
Erasable ink row during polling
The polling day was not without controversy. Allegations surfaced from multiple locations claiming that the indelible ink used during voting could be wiped off using hand sanitisers.
Uddhav Thackeray alleged serious irregularities, claiming collusion between the Election Commission and the ruling alliance. The Election Commission, however, has maintained that standard procedures were followed. A formal response is awaited as complaints are examined.
What exit polls had predicted
Several exit polls had projected an advantage for the BJP-led Mahayuti in the BMC elections. According to Axis My India, the BJP–Shiv Sena alliance was expected to win between 131 and 151 seats, while the Shiv Sena (UBT)–MNS–NCP (SP) bloc was projected at 58–68 seats. The Congress-led alliance was forecast to remain in double digits, with others sharing the remainder.
Another poll by JVC also predicted the Mahayuti crossing the 138-seat mark in Mumbai.
What to watch next
As counting continues, all eyes remain on Mumbai’s BMC, often referred to as the richest civic body in India. The final outcome here is expected to have a ripple effect on Maharashtra’s state politics ahead of future Assembly and Lok Sabha contests.
Live updates will continue through the day as official results come in from counting centres across the state.
