Maharashtra Civic Elections: Mumbai BMC Polls Set for January 15 with Results Next Day

Mumbai:

Maharashtra's civic body elections, delayed since 2022, are scheduled for January 15. Voting will take place for 29 municipal corporations, 32 district councils, and 336 panchayat samitis, with results announced the following day.

Here are the key aspects of this significant electoral event:

Elections for the Brihanmumbai Corporation and other major urban centers like Pune and Thane hold particular political importance as they may indicate the state's future political trajectory.

These elections are widely viewed as a barometer of public sentiment and the ruling coalition's standing.

The competition for BMC control—previously held by the undivided Shiv Sena—is particularly fierce. The BMC stands as both India's largest civic body and Asia's wealthiest, with a budget exceeding that of several small states.

The BJP now aims to surpass Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena faction and secure BMC leadership. When questioned about the mayoral position, Shinde has carefully stated that the Mayor will come from the Mahayuti alliance.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has been actively preparing for these elections, which are especially critical for Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena UBT and the Congress. Given their assembly election performance, these polls could determine their political future.

The civic elections have remarkably brought together estranged brothers Uddhav and Raj Thackeray after decades of separation, though a formal announcement regarding their electoral alliance is still pending.

Municipal corporation elections in major cities including Mumbai, Pune, and Thane have been outstanding since 2022 when their terms concluded. The postponement resulted from legal and administrative challenges related to OBC reservation and ward delimitation.

The Supreme Court has established January 31 as the deadline for completing all pending elections.

Polling for 264 municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra occurred on December 2, with results to be announced on December 21.

Elections for approximately 24 municipal councils and nagar panchayats were also rescheduled to December 20, with results likewise to be declared on December 21.