Maharashtra Municipal Elections: Ruling Alliance Secures 64 Seats Ahead of January Polls
As Maharashtra prepares for its municipal elections on January 15, the ruling coalition, Mahayuti, has claimed 64 seats unopposed, significantly enhancing its confidence. The BJP leads with 43 unopposed victories, while Shiv Sena and NCP also secure seats. This success follows previous wins in local council elections, solidifying the coalition's position ahead of the 2024 assembly elections. Voting for all municipal corporations, including BMC, will take place on January 15, with results announced the following day.
| Jan 3, 2026, 09:34 IST
Victory for the Ruling Alliance Ahead of Elections
As the Maharashtra municipal elections approach on January 15, the ruling coalition known as the Mahayuti, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar, has successfully claimed victory in 64 seats. This development occurred on Friday, the final day for candidate withdrawals, when numerous opposition candidates retracted their nominations, allowing Mahayuti candidates to be elected unopposed.
BJP's Dominance in the Elections
Among the coalition partners, the BJP has reaped the most benefits, with 43 of its candidates winning unopposed. Additionally, 19 candidates from Shiv Sena and two from NCP were also elected without contest.
A Closer Look at Mahayuti's Regional Wins
In Kalyan-Dombivli, 14 BJP candidates were elected unopposed. The party also secured six seats each in Bhiwandi, Panvel, and Jalgaon. In Dhule and Ahilyanagar, four and three BJP candidates, respectively, achieved victory. Furthermore, BJP candidates won two seats each in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Shiv Sena and NCP's Performance
Shiv Sena saw seven of its candidates win unopposed in Thane, while six candidates each in Kalyan-Dombivli and Jalgaon also emerged victorious. Additionally, two NCP candidates were elected unopposed in Ahilyanagar. A local Islamic party candidate in Malegaon was also elected without opposition.
Implications of Mahayuti's Success
The Mahayuti's success in securing 64 seats is expected to bolster the ruling coalition's confidence ahead of the municipal elections. It is noteworthy that the alliance had already achieved significant victories in the municipal council and panchayat elections held last month, strengthening its position in Maharashtra ahead of the 2024 assembly elections.
Upcoming Voting Schedule
Looking ahead, voting for all municipal corporations, including the BMC, is scheduled for January 15. The results will be announced by the Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on January 16.