Sanjay Raut Raises Concerns Over BMC Election Transparency Amidst BJP's Lead

In a recent statement, Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised alarms regarding the transparency of the BMC elections, questioning the integrity of the voting process as initial trends show a significant lead for the BJP. He highlighted the absence of numerous voters from the lists and criticized the Election Commission for not addressing these issues. With the counting of votes revealing a competitive landscape, Raut's claims have sparked discussions about the electoral process in Mumbai. As the situation unfolds, the implications for local governance and party dynamics remain to be seen.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 16, 2026, 11:36 IST

Political Turmoil in Mumbai Following BMC Election Claims

Sanjay Raut, a spokesperson and MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), has stirred significant discussions in Mumbai's political circles with his recent statements. His allegations have cast serious doubts on the transparency of the BMC elections. Amidst the initial trends showing a strong lead for the BJP-supported Mahayuti, Raut addressed the media, criticizing the ruling party regarding the 'voting patterns' and 'voter lists'.

Raut's Assurance to Voters

On Friday, Raut reassured the public that they should not be afraid, as the BJP-led Mahayuti appeared to be gaining a substantial advantage in the BMC elections. He emphasized that the voting patterns in a city like Mumbai are alarming, noting that thousands of names of voters who participated in previous assembly elections are missing from areas where Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, or Congress are active.

Election Commission's Response Questioned

Raut stated, "The voting patterns in a city like Mumbai are a serious issue. Many names of voters who voted in the assembly elections are absent from areas where Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, or Congress are present. The EVM machines are malfunctioning... the Election Commission is unwilling to listen to our concerns. Just yesterday, there was a meeting between senior BJP leaders and Election Commission officials—why is that happening when the code of conduct is still in effect?"

Early Trends from BMC Election Counting

According to initial trends from the BMC election counting, the BJP-Shiv Sena Mahayuti alliance is leading in approximately 52 wards, based on early data from postal ballot counts.

Current Seat Standings

Awaiting official figures from the SEC and BMC, the counted postal ballots indicate that the BJP is ahead in 35 seats, while Shiv Sena leads in 17. The morning has not brought good news for the Thackeray brothers, as Shiv Sena (UBT) is reported to be leading in 22 seats. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, is currently ahead in 8 seats, with Congress leading in 4 seats. According to data released by the State Election Commissioner (SEC) on Friday, the recently concluded BMC elections saw a voter turnout of 52.94%.

Voter Participation in Municipal Elections

Voting took place on Thursday for 2,869 seats across 893 wards in 29 municipal corporations, including 227 seats in Mumbai. A total of 15,931 candidates contested for these positions, with 34.8 million eligible voters. After the voting concluded, SEC Dinesh Waghmare reported that approximately 50% voter turnout was recorded across the 29 municipal corporations.

Comparison with Previous Elections

Officials reported that the voter turnout for the Mumbai municipal elections was 52.94%, which is lower than the 55.53% recorded in the previous elections in 2017. The BMC elections, which have been delayed for four years, involve 1,700 candidates vying for 227 seats, with a budget exceeding ₹74,400 crores. These elections are the first since the split in Shiv Sena in 2022, when Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde broke away with most of the party's legislators and formed an alliance with the BJP.