1 party, half the power: BJP now holds nearly 50% of Maharashtra’s corporator seats
The BJP now enjoys an absolute majority in 13 of the 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, and is the single largest party in six other corporations.
The latest round of municipal corporation elections has underlined the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) near-total dominance of urban Maharashtra. With 1,425 corporators elected on its own, the BJP now accounts for almost half of the 2,869 corporators across the state’s municipal corporations, marking its strongest civic performance yet.
The scale of the BJP’s rise becomes clearer when viewed over time. In the previous municipal election cycle, the party had 1,099 corporators, while in the cycle before that, its tally stood at just 320. This steady expansion reflects how decisively the BJP has consolidated its position in cities and large towns over the past decade.
The party now enjoys an absolute majority in 13 of the 29 municipal corporations in the state, including Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, Panvel, Nashik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, Nanded, Nagpur, Ichalkaranji and Jalna. In addition, it has emerged as the single largest party in six other corporations, including Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Amravati, Akola, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Sangli.
While the BJP had also secured absolute majorities in 13 corporations in the previous round, the current results show a sharper and more widespread consolidation, with the party expanding its footprint into newer urban centres and strengthening its hold in existing strongholds.
The roots of this dominance can be traced back to the BJP’s 2014 Lok Sabha breakthrough, which reshaped Maharashtra’s political landscape. That victory marked a shift in urban voting patterns, weakening traditional loyalties and positioning the BJP as the default party of power in cities. Subsequent Assembly and civic elections have reinforced this trend.
Among the BJP’s rivals and allies, the picture is more fragmented. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has emerged as the second-largest force with 399 corporators, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) has secured 155 seats. Taken together, the undivided Shiv Sena had won 489 corporators in the previous cycle, indicating a decline in the party’s overall civic strength after the split.
The Congress, once a significant player in urban local bodies, has been reduced to 324 corporators, down from 439 in the previous elections. It has managed to secure an absolute majority only in Latur, highlighting its shrinking influence in Maharashtra’s cities.
Story continues below this ad
A similar story has unfolded within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The Ajit Pawar-led NCP has won 169 seats, while the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) has been pushed to the margins with just 36 corporators. In contrast, the undivided NCP had won 294 seats in the earlier cycle.
The results suggest that the BJP’s rise has come at the cost of both its opponents and its allies.
How major parties performed in Maharashtra Municipal Corporation elections
Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas:
Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai.
Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC).
Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai).
Trustworthiness & Credibility
Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence.
Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers).
Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports.
He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More
