In a significant shift for the city’s political landscape, the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has shifted gears to prepare for a solo contest in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. While rumors of a reunion with the Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) camp recently dominated headlines, the party has now officially begun interviewing candidates for approximately 60 wards across Mumbai.
The Solo Strategy: Focus on 60 Seats
The decision follows a series of high-level meetings chaired by State Party President Sunil Tatkare.
Candidate Selection: NCP MLA Sana Malik confirmed that the party is assessing its strength in about 60 seats. “We are focusing on our traditional strongholds and areas where we have strong local leadership,” she stated.
The Leadership: The strategy is being spearheaded by a “Mumbai Core Team” including Zeeshan Siddiqui, Nawab Malik, and Sana Malik.
Ideology: The faction has asserted that it will fight the elections on the core values of Shiv–Shahu–Phule–Ambedkar, distancing itself from the more rigid “Hindutva” or “Linguistic Identity” platforms of its rivals.
Friction Within Mahayuti
The move to go solo stems from a growing rift within the Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena-Shinde, and NCP-Ajit).
- The Malik Factor: Allies BJP and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena have reportedly excluded the NCP from primary seat-sharing discussions.1 The point of contention remains the appointment of Nawab Malik as the NCP’s Mumbai coordinator—a move the BJP has publicly opposed due to previous legal allegations against him.2
- Tension over Numbers: Reports suggest the BJP is aiming for over 150 seats, while the Shinde faction is holding firm for 125, leaving very little room for Ajit Pawar’s candidates.
BMC Election Schedule at a Glance
The State Election Commission (SEC) has confirmed that Mumbai will vote in a single phase for the country’s richest civic body.3
| Event | Date |
| Issue of Notification | December 15, 2025 |
| Last Date for Nominations | December 30, 2025 |
| Withdrawal of Candidature | January 2, 2026 |
| Date of Polling | January 15, 2026 |
| Counting of Votes | January 16, 2026 |
Note: The elections involve 227 wards in Mumbai and 111 in Navi Mumbai, with a total of 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra going to polls simultaneously.
A Multipolar Battle
The BMC 2026 race has now turned into a crowded, multipolar contest:
- Mahayuti: BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde) [NCP-Ajit likely solo].
- MVA / Opposition: Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS have formed a “Thackeray Reunion” front.
- NCP-SP: Sharad Pawar’s faction is exploring its own arrangements with MVA allies.
- Independent Runners: The Congress has also announced its intention to contest all 227 wards solo.