Maharashtra Civic Polls 2026: Mahayuti Sweeps BMC, PMC & PCMC; Decoding the New Urban Power Centers

For 25 years, the BMC was the “Thackeray Fortress.” In Pune, the Pawars held the keys. On January 16, 2026, those keys changed hands in a historic mandate that will define Maharashtra’s infrastructure for the next decade.

The dust has settled on what many called the “Mini-Assembly” elections of Maharashtra. In a decisive mandate delivered on January 16, 2026, the voters of Maharashtra’s urban hubs have signaled a clear preference for the Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

The BMC Breakthrough: A 25-Year Era Ends

The biggest headline of the 2026 civic polls is undoubtedly the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). For the first time in over a quarter-century, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has lost its grip on India’s richest civic body.

BMC Final Seat Share (227 Seats):

• Mahayuti (BJP + Shinde Sena): 118 (BJP: 89, Shinde Sena: 29) – Clear Majority
• MVA (SS UBT + MNS + NCP SP): 72 (SS UBT: 65, MNS: 6, NCP SP: 01)
• Congress: 24
• Others: 13

Despite a last-minute “cousin-coalition” between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, the Marathi vote bank split, allowing the BJP to emerge as the single largest party. The “Development over Dynasty” narrative pushed by CM Devendra Fadnavis resonated in the suburbs, where infrastructure projects like the Metro and Coastal Road became the Mahayuti’s primary campaign calling cards.

Pune (PMC): The Lotus Blooms in the Cultural Capital

In Pune, the narrative was centered on the battle between the “Original” and “Split” NCP factions. However, the results show that the BJP has managed to insulate its “Pune Bastion” from the state’s factional feuds.

PMC Highlights (165 Seats):

• BJP: 116 seats (Up from 96 in 2017)
• NCP (Ajit Pawar): 21
• Congress: 15
• NCP (Sharad Pawar): 3

The BJP, led by Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, secured a two-thirds majority. The most significant takeaway? The combined strength of both NCP factions was no match for the BJP’s grassroots organizational strength in wards like Kothrud, Baner, and Hadapsar.

Pimpri-Chinchwad (PCMC): Industrial Heartland Stays Saffron

The PCMC results were a mirror of Pune but with higher stakes for local leadership. Despite a aggressive campaign by Ajit Pawar targeting local corruption, the voters of the industrial twin-city reposed their faith in the incumbent.

• BJP: 84 seats
• NCP (Ajit Pawar): 37
• Shiv Sena: 6

The BJP’s dominance in PCMC confirms that the industrial belt remains focused on ease of doing business and urban connectivity rather than the political musical chairs seen in Mumbai.

Analysis: Why the Mahayuti Swept

1. The Infrastructure Dividend: The completion of several Metro lines and urban flyovers in Pune and Mumbai just months before the polls gave the ruling alliance a tangible “Report Card.”
2. The Factional Fatigue: Voters appeared fatigued by the split-and-merge politics of the Shiv Sena and NCP. The BJP emerged as the “stable” constant in a volatile political climate.
3. The Micro-Management of Wards: In Pune, the BJP’s ward-level restructuring and focus on local issues like water supply in newly merged villages (Wagholi, Sus, Mhalunge) paid off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who will be the next Mayor of Mumbai?

With the Mahayuti crossing the 114-mark, the Mayor is likely to be from the BJP. However, a power-sharing arrangement with Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is still under discussion.

Did the Uddhav–Raj Thackeray alliance fail?

The alliance won 71 seats together, but this was not enough to challenge the BJP’s strong suburban performance. Many observers feel the tie-up came too late to unite the fragmented Marathi vote.

How many municipal corporations did the BJP win in total?

Out of 29 municipal corporations that went to polls, the BJP-led Mahayuti has secured control in 25, including key cities like Nashik, Nagpur, and Thane.

What was the voter turnout in Pune?

Pune Municipal Corporation recorded a turnout of around 54.7 percent. Participation was higher in newly merged suburban villages compared to the older city areas.

Q1: Who will be the next Mayor of Mumbai? A: With the Mahayuti crossing the 114-mark, the Mayor will likely be from the BJP, though a power-sharing formula with Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is being discussed.

Q2: Did the Uddhav-Raj Thackeray alliance fail? A: While they managed to win 71 seats together, it wasn’t enough to stop the BJP in the suburbs. The alliance was “too little, too late” to consolidate the fragmented Marathi heartland.

Q3: How many municipal corporations did the BJP win in total? A: Out of the 29 municipal corporations that went to the polls, the BJP-led Mahayuti has secured control in 25, including major hubs like Nashik, Nagpur, and Thane.

Q4: What was the voter turnout in Pune? A: Pune (PMC) recorded a moderate turnout of approximately 54.7%, with higher participation in the newly merged suburban villages compared to the old city areas.

Conclusion: A New Era for PuneNow Readers

For the residents of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Mumbai, these results mean a continuation of the current development trajectory. With the same alliance ruling the State and the Civic Body, the “Double Engine” promise will be tested on issues like the Pune Ring Road, Mumbai’s monsoon resilience, and the PCMC water crisis.

As PuneNow continues to track the ward-wise development, stay tuned for our upcoming “Know Your Corporator” series, where we profile the new faces entering the PMC and PCMC general bodies.