MUMBAI — In a decisive mandate that has reshaped Maharashtra’s political map, the ruling Mahayuti alliance has secured a landslide victory in the local body elections. Winning 207 out of the 288 municipal president posts, the combine of BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP has effectively silenced its critics just weeks before the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.
The final results, released by the State Election Commission on Sunday night, show the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerging as the “Big Brother” of the alliance, securing a record 117 president posts. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar’s NCP followed with 53 and 37 seats respectively, solidifying the alliance’s grip on the state’s urban and semi-urban grassroots.
MVA Routed in its Strongholds
The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—comprising the Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT)—managed to win only 44 seats. For the MVA, which was hoping for a resurgence, the results are a stinging reminder of the uphill battle they face.
The Congress secured 28 seats, while the Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions struggled significantly, winning only 9 and 7 seats respectively. This drubbing has prompted immediate finger-pointing within the Opposition, with leaders blaming the Election Commission and “money power” for the defeat.
“People-Centric Development”: PM Modi and Fadnavis React
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the alliance, stating that the results reflect the public’s unwavering trust in “people-centric development.”
In Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the performance as “historic.” Speaking to supporters, Fadnavis said, “This victory belongs to our dedicated Karyakartas. We fought this election on the plank of development and good governance, and the people have given us their blessings.”
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde echoed this sentiment, taking a sharp dig at the Thackeray faction. “Voters have shown who the actual Shiv Sena belongs to. From Chandrapur to Bandra, our strength is growing,” Shinde said.
Key Takeaways from the Results
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BJP Dominance: The BJP has more than doubled its previous tallies in several districts, proving its organizational muscle.
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NCP’s Pune Stronghold: Ajit Pawar’s NCP dominated Pune district, winning 10 out of 17 posts, showing his local influence remains intact.
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Warning for BMC: These results act as a “semi-final” for the BMC and other major municipal corporation elections scheduled for January 15, 2026.
The Road Ahead: BMC Elections 2026
With the momentum now firmly with the Mahayuti, the focus shifts to Mumbai. The BMC elections are often called the “real battle” for the soul of Maharashtra politics. If these trends continue, the Shinde-Fadnavis-Pawar trio could be looking at a clean sweep of the state’s most powerful civic body.
For the MVA, the next few weeks will be about survival and strategy. As state Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal noted, the results are a “wake-up call” for the entire Opposition.
Quick Stats: Maharashtra Local Body Election 2025
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Total Posts: 288 (Municipal Council/Nagar Panchayat Presidents)
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Mahayuti Total: 207 (BJP: 117 | Shiv Sena: 53 | NCP: 37)
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MVA Total: 44 (Congress: 28 | SS-UBT: 9 | NCP-SP: 7)
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Others/Independents: 37
Expert Analysis: Why Mahayuti Won the “Semi-Final”
By the Breaking News Today Indian Desk
The Mahayuti victory is a classic example of “Double Engine Governance” translating into votes. By avoiding personal attacks and focusing on the Ladki Bahin Yojana and infrastructure projects like the Metro and Samruddhi Expressway, the alliance created a narrative of progress.
Conversely, the MVA’s internal friction—especially between the Congress and the Thackeray faction regarding seat sharing—seems to have confused the voters. In local body polls, where personal touch and booth-level management are everything, the Mahayuti’s superior machinery simply outran the Opposition.
