The 2026 municipal elections in Maharashtra have delivered a harsh verdict for the state’s political dynasties, with both the Thackerays in Mumbai and the Pawars in Pune failing to consolidate power despite recent attempts at reunification.
Thackerays’ Mumbai Setback
In Mumbai, the long-awaited reconciliation between Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and cousin Raj Thackeray’s MNS failed to translate into electoral success. Despite reviving the Thackeray legacy and deploying traditional Marathi-centric rhetoric, the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena—recognized as the official party post-2022 split—look set to take control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India’s richest local body.
The election has brought into focus the question of the Thackerays’ core ideology. Raj and Uddhav may critique BJP’s Hindutva politics, but the numbers indicate that their blended effort has limited appeal in the city that was once a Shiv Sena stronghold for over 25 years.
Pawars’ Pune Challenge
Similarly, the reunited factions of the Pawar family—Sharad Pawar’s NCP(SP) and Ajit Pawar’s NCP—struggled in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Despite efforts to present a united front, the BJP is leading in both municipalities. Ajit Pawar’s faction managed a modest second place, while Sharad Pawar’s party remains largely marginalized. The results cast doubt on the viability of any near-term family consolidation at the state or central levels, including potential posts for Supriya Sule.
Implications for Legacy Politics
Across Maharashtra, the BJP-led alliance appears poised to secure a majority of wards in 29 municipal corporations, highlighting a broader erosion of traditional family legacies in the state. For the Thackerays and Pawars, the municipal poll outcomes may now force a reassessment of strategy, ideology, and the role of dynastic politics in contemporary Maharashtra.
The elections underscore a shift in voter sentiment: local legacy alone no longer guarantees dominance, and alliances, messaging, and ground-level strength are crucial in the state’s urban political landscape.