BMC Election Results: Has BJP win over Thackeray alliance settled the legacy question in Maharashtra politics?

Mumbai: The Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, have dominated their political rivals in the Maharashtra Civic Body Elections 2026. The Thakeray brothers - Raj and Uddhav - on the other hand are staring at an embarasing defeat. The political domianation of Maharashtra politics by the Thakeray clan, which was built on the formidable legacy of the late Balasaheb Thackeray has been dealt a uge blow with the BJP set to win the BMC polls in Mumbai for the first time.

What is the fate of the Thackeray dynasty?

Some analysts are linking the BJP alliance's significant victory in this election to the political future of the Thackeray family. In fact, this election result has dealt a blow to the Thackeray family in the very place where they began their political journey.

During the voting for the 227 seats of the BMC on Thursday, a survey was conducted to determine which parties received the most votes and which parties—Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), and NCP (Sharad Pawar)—garnered the most support. The results of this survey, when viewed in context, show that the politics of the Uddhav and Raj Thackeray families ultimately led to their downfall in their own stronghold.

How has Raj Thackeray's party MNS performed?

Elections were held in Maharashtra for a total of 2,869 seats across 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). According to the latest trends, the BJP is leading in 1,064 wards, while Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena is ahead in 282 wards. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) is leading in only 109 wards. Ajit Pawar's NCP is ahead in 113 seats, while Sharad Pawar's NCP is leading in 24 seats.

Meanwhile, the Congress party is leading in 222 seats in the Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, while Raj Thackeray's MNS is ahead in 12 seats. Out of the total 277 seats in Mumbai, Raj Thackeray's party is leading in only 5 seats. Raj Thackeray had contested the elections in Maharashtra in alliance with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray. Despite this alliance, his party suffered a crushing defeat.

How has the BJP performed? 

The Bharatiya Janata Party is heading towards a major victory in the BMC elections. It is being said that with this, Uddhav Thackeray is on the verge of losing control here after several decades. He had formed an alliance with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief and cousin Raj Thackeray for the BMC elections. With this victory, Mumbai is set to get a BJP-Shinde Sena mayor after 28 years.

In Jalna, the Bharatiya Janata Party is leading in 41 wards. Trends for all 65 wards have been released. The Shiv Sena is in second place with 12 seats. The Congress is leading in 9 seats, and AIMIM has a lead in 2 seats. Shiv Sena UBT and both factions of the NCP have not yet opened their accounts. Jalna became the 29th municipal corporation of Maharashtra in 2023. It appears that the BJP has benefited in Jalna from the defection of former Congress leader and former MLA Kailas Gorantyal to the BJP. Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM is leading in 20 wards of Malegaon. Notably, in Malegaon, which has 84 wards, the BJP is in fifth place, leading in only two seats. The Shiv Sena is in second place, leading in 18 seats. The Samajwadi Party is leading in 6 seats, and the Congress in 3.

Who have the Marathi voters supported?

According to the Axis My India survey, Shiv Sena (UBT) and its allies, who champion the cause of the 'Marathi Manoos' (Marathi people), received the highest percentage of votes from this community. 49% of Marathi voters supported them, while the BJP and its allies received votes from 30% of Marathi voters. The Congress and its allies managed to attract only 8% of Marathi voters. Besides the Marathi community, the Thackeray brothers received the most support from Muslims, securing 28% of the Muslim vote. However, Congress Plus is ahead in this race with 41% of the Muslim vote, while BJP Plus received only 12% of the Muslim vote.