Maharashtra Civic Elections: Exit Polls Indicate Strong Performance for Mahayuti Alliance

The recent municipal elections in Maharashtra have concluded, with exit polls suggesting a strong showing for the Mahayuti alliance. Projections indicate that the coalition may secure a significant number of seats in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The BJP is expected to emerge as the largest party, while the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress are also anticipated to gain seats. As the state awaits the official results, questions arise regarding the discussions held by key political figures. Stay tuned for the final outcomes and implications of these elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 15, 2026, 19:51 IST

Election Results Anticipated for Maharashtra's Municipal Corporations

Following the conclusion of voting across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), attention now shifts to the anticipated election results. Voting has been completed in the 227 wards of BMC, and exit polls suggest a significant victory for the Mahayuti alliance. According to the JVCA exit poll, the Mahayuti coalition is projected to secure 138 seats, while the alliance led by Uddhav and Raj Thackeray is expected to win 59 seats. The Congress party is estimated to gain 23 seats, with other parties potentially securing 7 seats.

Predictions from Axis My India

Estimates from Axis My India indicate a substantial win for the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena in the BMC elections, with the Mahayuti coalition expected to capture between 131 and 151 seats. In contrast, the alliance led by Uddhav Thackeray is projected to obtain between 58 and 68 seats. The post-election forecasts from Axis My India reveal that the BJP is likely to emerge as the largest party with 28% of the vote share, followed by Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena at 14% and Uddhav's faction at 24%. The party-wise vote distribution is as follows: BJP: 28%, SS (Shinde): 14%, UBT: 24%, MNS: 7%, NCP (SP): 1%, Congress-VBA-RSP: 13%, and others: 13%.

Voter Turnout and Election Insights

Voting for the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra concluded at 5:30 PM on Thursday. State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare reported that the voter turnout ranged between 46% and 50%. He expressed satisfaction with this turnout, noting it surpasses the figures from the 2017 municipal elections. According to SEC data, by 3:30 PM, the turnout was recorded at 41.13%. The gross exit polls for the BMC elections indicate that the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is on track to become the largest coalition in the 227-member municipal body with 119 seats.

Anticipated Performance of Other Alliances

The Shiv Sena (UBT) led alliance is expected to perform robustly, potentially securing around 75 seats. The Congress party is projected to win approximately 20 seats, while other parties may obtain around 14 seats. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has sharply criticized Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, questioning the outcomes of a "lengthy discussion" between Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagare and Kamalabai. Raut alleged that this meeting may have involved Fadnavis's "Mumbai-based special treasurer" and a favored builder, raising concerns about the decisions made behind closed doors.