Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Highlights: 12 suspended Congress councillors join BJP

Maharashtra BMC Election 2026 Highlights: Get the latest on BMC election date in Maharashtra 2026, candidate lists, schedules and local body poll developments

bjpTwelve suspended Congress councillors in Ambarnath formally joined BJP on Thursday. (Express photo)

Maharashtra Municipal Election 2026 Highlights: The 12 suspended Congress councillors of Ambernath municipal council on Thursday joined the BJP in the presence of the party’s Maharashtra president Ravindra Chavan. The move came a day after CM Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that the party will not have an alliance with traditional rival Congress in Ambernath.

NCP unveils manifesto: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Wednesday unveiled its manifesto for the BMC elections, outlining a vision of inclusive growth, transparent administration and major infrastructure expansion to position Mumbai as a global city. Key promises include building 500 km of new roads over the next five years, upgrading bridges and flyovers, introducing AI-driven traffic management systems, and creating new economic hubs in areas like BKC, Worli and the eastern suburbs to boost employment opportunities.

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Meanwhile, the Mumbai Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for the upcoming civic polls, promising measures to improve the city’s air quality and introduce universal health cards that would allow citizens to access free medicines.

Live Updates
Jan 9, 2026 10:20 PM IST
Four NCP corporators join Shinde-led Sena overnight in Ambernath

In Ambernath, four corporators of Ajit Pawar-led NCP, who had earlier supported the BJP to form a majority in the council house, have shifted to Shinde-led Sena overnight.

Situated 60 kilometres from Mumbai, Ambernath hogged national limelight after the BJP formed the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi by joining hands with arch-rival Congress, in a bid to keep the Shinde Sena out of power.

The alliance comprised 31 members: 14 BJP, 12 Congress, 4 Ajit Pawar-led NCP, 1 Independent.

The Congress suspended all 12 of its corporators from the party, all of whom joined the BJP on Thursday.

Jan 9, 2026 02:33 PM IST
Why Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar is being accused of interfering in civic polls

If there is a face to the controversy over nomination filing in the coming Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, with 69 wards being won uncontested, it is Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s.

On Monday, Opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, Aam Aadmi Party, and Independents, lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission (SEC) against Narwekar for alleged interference in the poll process, and urged it to relook at the nomination filing in the three Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) wards from where his family members are contesting.

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Jan 9, 2026 02:31 PM IST
Gauri Lankesh accused Pangarkar to contest in Jalna civic polls

An accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, Shrikant Pangarkar, is contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming Jalna Municipal Corporation polls. Pangarkar, who is an accused in the Nalla Sopara arms haul case, will be contesting from ward number 13. He will face other candidates including candidates from BJP.

Pangarkar was Jalna municipal councillor of the undivided Shiv Sena between 2001 and 2006. After he was dropped by the party during the 2011 civic elections, he joined the Hindu Janjagruti Samiti. He was arrested in 2018 in relation to the Gauri Lankesh case and was granted bail by the Karnataka High Court in 2024.

Jan 9, 2026 02:14 PM IST
Reunited for Pune civic polls: Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule to share stage for first time since NCP split to launch joint manifesto

After unexpectedly striking a pre-poll alliance for the Maharashtra civic polls, NCP chief Ajit Pawar and his cousin, NCP(SP) working president Supriya Sule, will appear together for the first time on a political stage after parting ways three years ago.

On Saturday, Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule will unveil the joint manifesto of both parties for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections.

"We can understand that the absence of NCP(SP) leaders in the election campaign was sending the wrong message among party workers and voters. Now, this will end as NCP chief Ajit Pawar, along with NCP(SP) working president Supriya Sule, will together unveil the alliance's election manifesto. This is the first time that the two will be sharing the political stage after the party split a few years ago," said local NCP executive chief Pradeep Deshmukh.

Jan 9, 2026 11:45 AM IST
'Local body elections are fought on local issues', says Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar

In an exclusive interview to PTI, Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar said, “I have been in politics for 35 years and have seen the development carried out by our party in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. After we lost, others came to power, and in the last 8–9 years, out of a Rs 60,000 crore budget per year, around 30% has gone towards administrative expenses, but the remaining work is not clearly visible on the ground.”

He added, “National elections are different as they decide who will run the country. Even the Maharashtra Assembly elections are different. While we are part of the NDA and Mahayuti, local body elections are fought on local issues, and our focus is on that for now.”

Jan 9, 2026 10:23 AM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: Public holiday declared in cities on civic poll voting day

The Maharashtra State Election Commission on Friday announced that Thursday, January 15, will be a public holiday in areas falling under the 29 municipal corporations where polling for civic elections will be held, an official said.

The holiday will apply to government and semi-government offices, corporations, boards, public undertakings, banks and central government offices within the jurisdiction of the civic bodies. - PTI

Jan 8, 2026 09:15 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: Vote for Shiv Sena for development, Shinde tells Navi Mumbai residents

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday asked people of Navi Mumbai to vote for the Shiv Sena in the January 15 polls to bring about development.

Addressing roadshows and meetings, Shinde said the civic polls were a direct contest between development and deception, and between a government that serves the people and those who believe in slogans and empty promises.

The three Mahayuti partners, namely BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP, are fighting Navi Mumbai polls separately. — PTI

Jan 8, 2026 08:18 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: Gauri Lankesh murder case accused contesting Jalna civic polls as independent candidate

An accused in the sensational murder of journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh is contesting the January 15 Jalna Municipal Corporation polls in Maharashtra as an independent candidate.

Shrikant Pangarkar is in the fray from ward 13. His opponents are candidates from the BJP and several other parties, though the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has not fielded a contestant.

Incidentally, ahead of the November 2024 assembly elections, Pangarkar had joined the Shiv Sena. However, following an outcry, Shinde kept his induction into the party in abeyance. — PTI

Jan 8, 2026 06:15 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: Relief to BJP nominee as HC grants interim stay on election in Navi Mumbai ward

The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted an interim stay on the upcoming election in ward 17A (Vashi) of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and also the order of a returning officer rejecting a BJP candidate's nomination. BJP leader Nilesh Bhojane's nomination form was rejected by the returning officer under section 10(1D) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act on the grounds that there was unauthorised construction on his property.

A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad said the election returning officer has “prima facie demonstrated illegal and arbitrary exercise of powers” by rejecting Bhojane's nomination form. — PTI

Jan 8, 2026 05:24 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: 12 Congress councillors join BJP

At a function held by the BJP to release the manifesto for the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation, 12 Congress councillors from Ambernath joined the saffron camp. They were joining the party to ensure development works continue under the "double engine" BJP government of the state and Center, Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan said.

"Workers from various parties are joining us in large numbers because they realize that staying with power is the only way to do justice to the citizens," the state BJP chief said, while also asserting that AIMIM members from Akot will not be inducted into the BJP.

Jan 8, 2026 04:41 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: BJP promises to freeze water, property taxes for 20 years in Navi Mumbai

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its manifesto for the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation election, promising that there would be no hike in the water and property taxes for the next 20 years.

The manifesto was released by Maharashtra BJP chief Ravindra Chavan and state minister and local leader Ganesh Naik.

The BJP would have its own Mayor in the city, said Chavan. — PTI

Jan 8, 2026 04:03 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: Fadnavis pledges to ease traffic, fast-track Metro projects in Thane, MMR

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has shared a comprehensive action plan for Thane and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), pledging to ease traffic congestion and complete key Metro projects within five years.

Speaking at a chat show here on Wednesday night as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) campaign for the Thane Municipal Corporation polls scheduled on January 15, Fadnavis outlined a future defined by seamless connectivity and sustainable infrastructure. — PTI

Jan 8, 2026 03:21 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates: Vasai Virar civic polls: Voters to get discounts on hotels, transport on polling day

In a bid to encourage voter turnout in the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) polls on January 15, authorities plan to offer special discounts on hotel bills, autorickshaw fares and bus tickets to those who vote, officials said on Thursday.

VVMC Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Suryavanshi held a meeting on Wednesday with representatives of the local hotels association, rickshaw union and the civic transport service.

Describing elections as a "festival of democracy," the commissioner appealed to representatives of various associations to support the democratic process by offering incentives to voters on polling day in Maharashtra's Vasai-Virar civic areas. — PTI

Jan 8, 2026 02:29 PM IST
BMC election 2026 results date

The counting of votes for the BMC election 2026 will take place on January 16 from 10 am.

Jan 8, 2026 02:29 PM IST
BMC election 2026 voting date and poll timings

Voting for the BMC election 2026 will be held on January 15 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm across all 227 wards of Mumbai, the State Election Commission announced.

The election will also cover 20 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra, making it one of the largest civic election exercises in the state.

Jan 8, 2026 02:27 PM IST
EVM machines being sealed at a Ghatkopar office facility ahead of the BMC polls

EVM machines being sealed at a Ghatkopar office facility this Thursday morning ahead of the BMC polls on January 15. Results will be counted on January 16. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Jan 8, 2026 02:24 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates

On Delhi stone pelting, Shiv Sena(UBT) MP, Arvind Sawant said, "... Central and state both governments belong to the BJP. Police administration comes under them. Dont forget that when the RSS office was building a temple, it was also demolished... BJP is trying to use this as a narrative as elections are nearing in other states..."

Jan 8, 2026 12:56 PM IST
'Everyone knows who has done development work in the state,' says Eknath Shinde

Ahead of BMC polls, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, "“We are going across Maharashtra; everyone knows who has done development work in the state."

Jan 8, 2026 12:38 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates

On BJP-Congress alliance in Ambarnath for civic polls, Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar said, "Any Alliance with Congress is not acceptable. Action will be taken against those who allied with Congress. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has given orders against this alliance."

Jan 8, 2026 12:37 PM IST
Maharashtra Civic Body Polls 2026 Live Updates

On BJP-Congress alliance in local civic polls, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, "Our state president is in contact with local leaders, we're trying to figure out a way to solve this problem."

Jan 8, 2026 12:16 PM IST
'Marathi manoos' will be powerless if BJP controls civic bodies: Raj Thackeray

MNS chief Raj Thackeray has launched a scathing attack on the BJP, alleging that those seeking to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra are in power at the Centre and in the state, and warned that if they control the municipal corporations, "Marathi manoos" will be rendered powerless.

In the first part of a joint interview of Raj and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, published in the latter's party mouthpiece Saamana on Thursday, the Maharashtra Nanirman Sena (MNS) chief said he and his cousin have come together not for their existence but for that of "Marathi manoos" in the state.

The Thackeray cousins were interviewed by Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member and Saamana's Executive Editor Sanjay Raut and noted director Mahesh Manjrekar. - PTI

Jan 8, 2026 11:02 AM IST
From 2017 to 2026: Assets of several BMC poll candidates see steep jump

Several prominent candidates in the upcoming Mumbai civic polls, including former mayor Kishori Pednekar, have declared a sharp rise in assets since 2017, according to affidavits uploaded by the State Election Commission.

As many as 1,700 candidates are in the fray for the 227-ward Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled on January 15.

Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate and former city mayor Kishori Pednekar, contesting from Lower Parel (ward 199) in central Mumbai, has declared total assets of Rs 5.26 crore, a 226 per cent increase from Rs 1.61 crore in 2017.

Pednekar, who served as Mumbai mayor from 2019 to 2022, has declared immovable and movable assets of Rs 4.69 crore and Rs 57 lakh, respectively.

Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) candidate Samadhan Sarvankar, son of former MLA Sada Sarvankar and seeking a second term, has declared assets of Rs 46.59 crore, a steep rise of 394 per cent from Rs 9.43 crore in 2017.

The Sena candidate, who has listed his profession as business, has immovable assets of Rs 40.59 crore, along with substantial movable assets, as per the affidavit.

-PTI

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