Maharashtra – The BMC election results have ushered in a new political era for Mumbai, with the Bharatiya Janata Party securing a historic victory that marks the end of Shiv Sena’s over two-decade dominance in the city’s civic body. This landmark triumph establishes the BJP as Maharashtra’s most powerful political force, adding municipal governance to its already strong political foothold.
BJP’s Commanding Performance in BMC Election Results
The BMC election results reveal a significant political shift in the 227-member municipal corporation. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, while its ally, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, secured 29 seats. The opposition Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) won 65 seats. This marks a dramatic change from the 2017 election when the BJP won 82 seats and the undivided Shiv Sena captured 84 seats.
The combined strength of the Mahayuti alliance gives the BJP and its partners control over Mumbai’s civic administration for the first time in the party’s history. This victory is particularly significant as it wrests power from the Sena, which had maintained its grip on the BMC for more than 25 years.
Senior BJP minister Ashish Shelar, who spearheaded the party’s campaign, celebrated the BMC election results on social media, stating: “A new era of service to Mumbaikars!! We accept with great humility the blessings you have given to the Mahayuti along with the BJP.” He emphasized the party’s commitment to Mumbai’s development and pledged unwavering service to the city’s residents.
The Decline of Shiv Sena’s Traditional Stronghold
The BMC election results represent a day of reckoning for Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Beyond mere numbers, the battle for Mumbai’s civic body carried deep emotional significance for Thackeray and the Marathi manoos community. During their campaign, the Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance invoked historical sacrifices, reminding voters how over a hundred people had been martyred to keep Mumbai within Maharashtra.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray characterized the election as the “last fight to finish for the Marathi manoos.” However, his emotional appeal failed to translate into electoral success, with the MNS unable to improve beyond its 2017 tally of seven corporators.
Political analyst Pratap Asbe interpreted the BMC election results as reflecting “the loss of the Marathi manoos in his fight against the North Indian-Gujarati combine voters.” He noted that the North Indian demographic now holds significant influence in the city, partly due to indirect support from the Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA).
Impact of Party Split and Alliance Politics
Senior Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Prabhu attributed the BMC election results to the party split engineered by the BJP. “The BJP has won only because they split our party. If you add the numbers of both the Shiv Senas, it adds up to the numbers of the undivided Shiv Sena,” Prabhu explained. He argued that without the split, the BJP would not have achieved its dream of electing its own mayor.
The Sena (UBT) also criticized the Congress for not contesting as an alliance partner. Analysts suggest that had the Congress-VBA combine supported the Thackerays, the BMC election results might have been different, potentially preventing the BJP from wresting control of the municipal corporation.
Strategic Missteps and Future Challenges
Political analyst Abhay Deshpande observed that while the BJP achieved its dream of winning Mumbai, the Thackeray cousins did mount a tough fight. “Uddhav Thackeray’s decision to dump the Congress to go with the MNS backfired badly,” he noted. The BMC election results demonstrate that while Uddhav managed to extend beyond the 32% Marathi vote bank to secure Muslim votes, the MNS failed to expand beyond its core supporters.
Deshpande suggested that the Thackeray brand could bounce back if they adopt a more inclusive strategy beyond their core Maharashtrian vote base, possibly through Uddhav Thackeray’s Mi Mumbaikar campaign.
BJP’s Vision for Mumbai’s Future
Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam interpreted the BMC election results as a clear rejection of divisive politics. “Those who were trying to spread rumours and create divisions on the basis of languages and regions have been given a reply by Mumbaikars through their votes,” he stated.
Satam expressed confidence that the BMC would have a Mahayuti mayor, declaring that “the ‘saffron’ flag of Hindutva will fly atop the BMC.” The BMC election results signal not just a change in administration but a fundamental shift in Mumbai’s political landscape, ending an era dominated by regional parties and ushering in a new chapter of governance under the BJP-led alliance.
