Today, January 16, 2026, all eyes are on Mumbai as the counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) begins. After nearly four years without an elected body, the city finally went to the polls yesterday, January 15.
This election is not just a civic contest; it is a prestige battle for control over India’s richest municipal corporation, which has an annual budget exceeding ₹50,000 crore.
🗳️ Voting and Turnout Highlights
A single-phase poll was conducted across 227 wards in Greater Mumbai. Despite a public holiday being declared to encourage voters, the turnout saw a slight dip compared to previous years.
- Voter Turnout: 52.94% (down from 55.53% in 2017).
- Highest Turnout: Ward 114 (Bhandup) recorded a high of 64.53%.
- Lowest Turnout: Ward 227 (Colaba) reported just 20.88%.
- Total Candidates: Approximately 1,700 candidates competed for 227 seats.
⚔️ The Major Alliances
The political landscape of Mumbai has shifted significantly since the last election in 2017, following major splits in both the Shiv Sena and the NCP.
| Alliance / Bloc | Key Parties Included |
|---|---|
| Mahayuti (Ruling) | BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), RPI (Athawale) |
| UBT+ Alliance | Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS (Raj Thackeray), NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) |
| MVA / Congress | Indian National Congress, Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA) |
📊 Exit Poll Predictions: Who is Leading?
Early exit polls suggest a strong performance for the ruling Mahayuti alliance, though the competition remains fierce in traditional strongholds.
- Axis My India: Predicts a clear majority for the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde) alliance with 131 to 151 seats.
- JVC Exit Poll: Echoes a lead for Mahayuti with approximately 138 wards.
- UBT+ Performance: Expected to secure around 58 to 68 seats, making it the primary opposition force.
- Congress: Projected to win between 12 to 23 seats across various polls.
🏗️ The Issues That Mattered
Throughout the campaign, the central theme was "Development."
- Infrastructure: Key projects like the Mumbai Coastal Road, Atal Setu, and slum redevelopment schemes were highlighted by the ruling parties.
- Civic Frustration: Opposition parties targeted the government on long-standing issues like garbage disposal, potholes, and waterlogging, which many felt were neglected during the years the BMC was run by administrators.
- Marathi Identity: The reunited Thackeray cousins (Uddhav and Raj) focused heavily on the rights and identity of the Marathi manoos.
🏁 What’s Next?
Counting began at 10:00 AM today across 23 designated centers in Mumbai. However, results might be slightly delayed due to a new phased counting system implemented by the State Election Commission.
Who do you think will become the next Mayor of Mumbai? Will the Mahayuti hold its lead, or will the Thackeray brothers stage a massive comeback? Let us know your predictions in the comments!