MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA — The wait for the “King of Mumbai” is nearing its end as counting for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other municipal corporations across Maharashtra began at 10:00 AM today, January 16, 2026. Early trends indicate a high-octane battle, primarily between the ruling Mahayuti and the reunited forces of the Thackeray brothers.
1. BMC Early Trends (as of 10:30 AM)
Counting is currently taking place across 23 designated centers in Mumbai.
| Alliance / Party | Leads (Trends) | Key Constituencies |
| Mahayuti (BJP + Shinde Sena) | 34 | Leading in Borivali, Mulund, and parts of Malad. |
| MVA+MNS (Sena UBT + MNS + NCP-SP) | 26 | Strong presence in Dadar, Parel, and Worli. |
| Congress & Allies (VBA + RSPS) | 05 | Leading in minority-dominated pockets of Kurla. |
| Others / Independents | 02 | — |
- The Majority Mark: 114 seats.
- Total Seats: 227 wards.
- Voter Turnout: 52.94% (a slight dip from 55.53% in 2017).
2. The Big Stakes: A Heritage Battle
For the first time, the BMC is witnessing a unique political alignment. After years of rivalry, Uddhav Thackeray (Sena UBT) and Raj Thackeray (MNS) have joined hands to protect their shared “Marathi Manush” legacy against the resource-heavy campaign of the BJP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
- Mahayuti Strategy: Focusing on “Double Engine” development and Shinde’s grassroots “Common Man” image.
- MVA/MNS Strategy: Campaigning on the “loss of Mumbai’s pride” and local identity.
3. Trends Across Maharashtra
Beyond Mumbai, early leads show the BJP maintaining dominance in its traditional strongholds:
- Pune (PMC): BJP is leading in 32 seats; Ajit Pawar’s NCP is facing a tough fight from Sharad Pawar’s faction in the Pimpri-Chinchwad (PCMC) belt.
- Nagpur: The BJP-Sena alliance is comfortably ahead in early rounds.
- Thane: A prestige battle for CM Shinde; his faction is currently leading in his home turf.
4. Why Results May Be Delayed Today
Election officials have confirmed that the final tally for the BMC might take longer than usual.
- Phased Counting: Unlike previous simultaneous counts, the EC is following a phased approach for the 227 wards to ensure accuracy amid high-profile legal challenges regarding “erasable ink.”
- Postal Ballots: A record number of postal ballots are being counted first, which typically favors the ruling alliance.