Maharashtra Municipal Corporation, BMC Elections 2026 Highlights: Campaigning for the Maharashtra civic body elections drew to a close on Tuesday — setting the stage for a high-octane showdown on January 15. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rode a Royal Enfield through Nagpur during the final hours of campaigning while his Deputy Eknath Shinde insisted that a Mahayuti victory was “certain”. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine faces several new challenges as Mumbai gears up for its first civic body polls since 2017, including a challenge mounted by the recently unified Thackeray cousins.
Fight for Thackeray cousins’ survival, not Marathi people, says Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and MNS leader Raj Thackeray — saying that the January 15 Mumbai civic polls are a battle for the cousins’ political survival rather than an issue concerning the Marathi people.
“Devendra Bhau, don’t worry about us. The Thackeray family is capable of handling threats against them. We are not scared like you. We don’t create a bogus voter list just to win elections. We don’t distribute money as you do. You worry about yourself…This issue has been going on for 60 years in Maharashtra. This is not about the Thackeray brothers. He is challenging Hindu Hridya Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray. Balasaheb boosted your party, and you’re challenging him? Otherwise, nobody cared for you. You didn’t have two people whose posters you could put in Mumbai and Maharashtra. If a Marathi man is in danger, it’s because of the BJP. This is why our direct fight is with the BJP,” came the rejoinder from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut.
1,700 candidates from 227 wards
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that about 1,700 candidates from 227 wards will contest in the upcoming civic elections. He added that the BMC is fully ready for the polls. “BMC is all prepared to conduct these elections. Voting will be held on 15th January and counting on 16th. There are 227 wards in total. 1700 candidates are contesting,” ANI quoted Gagrani as saying.
Municipal polls schedule
The State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
The State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections for 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).
Voting will take place on January 15 and the results will be declared on January 16.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: SEC says 'PADU' to be used only if glitches arise during counting
The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Wednesday said that Printing Auxiliary Display Unit (PADU) will be used only if technical difficulties arise during the counting of votes for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
In a statement issued a day before the crucial election, the SEC said the facility to view results using PADU would be available only in rare circumstances.
The voting machines manufactured by the Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) are being used exclusively for Thursday's BMC elections, the commission said, adding that these machines belong to the Election Commission of India and are of the 'M3A' type.
As per SEC orders, votes must be counted by connecting the Control Unit (CU) to the Ballot Unit (BU), and PADU should be used only in rare and exceptional cases of technical failure.
Further, vote counting using PADU must be carried out in the presence of technicians from BEL, it said, adding that 140 PADU units have been made available.
-via PTI
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: 3 reasons why BMC polls were not held since 2022
Mumbai will vote on January 15 to elect a new Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, ending nearly three years of administrative rule. Polling will be held across 227 wards, with counting on January 16. The election, involving 1,700 candidates and over 1.03 crore voters, is politically significant as it decides control of India’s richest municipal body.
Why the BMC election was delayed:
- COVID-19 pandemic: Civic polls across Maharashtra were initially postponed due to the public health crisis.
- OBC reservation row: Legal disputes and Supreme Court directives on OBC quota stalled the election process.
- Ward delimitation dispute: Conflicting decisions on increasing and redrawing BMC wards led to further delays, resolved only after Supreme Court intervention in August 2025.
READ MORE: Explained | 3 reasons why Mumbai’s BMC election was delayed since 2022
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Mumbai turns into a battle of identity
With the clock ticking down to polling day, Mumbai’s political air is thick with urgency and theatre. Just hours before voting begins for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, the city has become a battleground of symbols, slogans and shifting alliances.
The campaign saw a dramatic Thackeray family realignment and an aggressive push to mobilise voters around competing ideas of Marathi identity and Hindutva.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut sought to cement the show of unity between the Thackeray cousins with a charged social media appeal that spread rapidly online. “All Marathi people have decided… If we are together, we are safe! And Thackeray is the best,” Raut wrote. He urged Mumbaikars to rally behind the reunited family to safeguard regional pride and the city’s Marathi ethos.
The BJP, meanwhile, sharpened its counter-narrative. BJP minister Nitesh Rane turned to social media with a message rooted firmly in Hindutva, posting, “Hindus have decided, I Love Mahadev…”. The post was widely read as an effort to consolidate the Hindu vote and frame the BMC contest as a referendum on Mumbai’s ideological direction.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: 'SEC allowed post-campaign canvassing at govt's behest'
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Wednesday slammed the State Election Commission for allowing door-to-door canvassing after the official civic poll campaign ended, claiming it was helping the ruling Mahayuti win the polls. Talking to reporters, Thackeray said the SEC was changing rules on the eve of the polls, scheduled on Thursday.
He asked why the new "tradition" was introduced just before the civic polls and why the rule was not there during the Lok Sabha and assembly elections.
"The SEC is helping the government win polls that it has lost. "Why was this concession given? Why was the rule changed? Is the SEC there to do what the government wants?" the MNS leader claimed.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Sanjay Raut slams EC, says Mahayuti parties 'distributing money' despite MCC
"Campaigning ended yesterday. According to the rules, laws, and the Model Code of Conduct, campaigning officially stopped yesterday. However, suddenly, the Maharashtra Election Commission said that even after campaigning has ended, you can still go door to door and campaign. What kind of rule is this? This directly gives the Bharatiya Janata Party, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar permission and a licence to distribute money openly during door-to-door campaigns," the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleged.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: 'Not good' at history - Owaisi takes jibe at NSA Doval over 'avenge' comments
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday slammed National Security Advisor Ajit Doval over his remarks calling on India's youth to "avenge history", saying the NSA is "not good" at history.
He contested Doval's assertion that India did not attack other countries, noting kings of the Chola dynasty ruled present-day "Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand".
The Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad was addressing a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in central Maharashtra on the last day of campaigning for municipal corporation elections. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is among 29 cities and big towns where civic corporations are going to polls on January 15.
As Maharashtra heads to the elections on Thursday for 29 municipal corporations, the spotlight is on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti is locked in a battle with the united Thackeray front for control of the cash-rich BMC.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has predicted that MNS leader Raj Thackeray would emerge as the biggest loser in his alliance with cousin and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Shiv Sena targets Fadnavis in 'Saamana"
The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday stepped up its attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that his recent remarks have hurt the sentiments of ordinary Marathi people and are part of an attempt to dilute Mumbai’s regional identity.
In the party mouthpiece ‘Saamana', the Uddhav Thackeray-led outfit stated that the Chief Minister’s comments on employment and local culture made during the campaign period were disrespectful to the state’s common man.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Microphones, large groups barred as door-to-door campaign continues
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has prohibited civic poll candidates from using microphones and moving in large groups during door-to-door canvassing, citing its decision to allow only limited personal outreach after the end of the public campaign.
The official public canvassing for the polls ended on Tuesday evening, but the SEC has said that candidates can still visit voters' homes and campaign, provided the number of persons does not exceed five and there is no use of mikes.
Candidates are permitted to meet voters personally and undertake door-to-door visits beyond a 100-metre radius of polling stations even after the close of public campaigning, but without supporters and without the use of loudspeakers or electronic media.
Opposition parties have criticised the decision, alleging that it weakens restrictions imposed by the election authority itself and allows candidates to continue campaigning in person despite the formal end of public canvassing.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: 'Will once again hoist saffron flag' says Shiv Sena (UBT) MP
"The atmosphere in Mumbai is all about 'Shiv-Bhagwa', it's about Uddhav and Raj, it's about Aaditya, it's about the 'Mashaal' and the engine. Everyone has decided that by removing corrupt people from here, we will once again hoist the saffron flag. We are the Shiv Sena that takes everyone along... Mumbai has always been inclusive, that's why everyone lives here peacefully. Now, where have these people brought up this issue of caste and community from? It's a municipal corporation election... and that's the issue, talk about that, talk about what you want to give to the people...," Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant told ANI.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Voter photo ID card, 12 other identity proofs valid for polling
Municipal commissioner and district election officer Bhushan Gagrani on Tuesday said that voters must establish their identity at the polling station by presenting a photo identity card.
Those without a voter ID may submit any one of the 12 notified documents, which include the passport, Aadhaar card, driving licence, PAN card, government-issued photo identity cards and bank or post office passbooks with photographs.
Electors can also show the disability certificates with photos, MGNREGA job cards, pension-related photo documents, official identity cards issued to MPs and MLAs, freedom fighter identity cards, or photo health insurance cards issued by the Union Labour Ministry.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: 'Mahayuti's victory is certain' says Eknath Shinde
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has predicted a Mahayuti win ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. He participated in the election campaign for Mahayuti candidate Suvarna for Borivali on Tuesday.
"I have come to Borivali for election campaigning. You can see the excitement among people. So many people from the area have come to the rally. Mahayuti's victory is certain. Suvarna, the candidate from here, is a vegetable vendor. I have come here to campaign for her because a poor karyakarta of the party, a vegetable vendor, can also get an election ticket. Only the Mahayuti can do this. She will win this seat and work for the people..." Shinde told reporters.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: CM accuses Uddhav Thackeray of poaching corporators, rejects ‘vote chori’ charge
Responding sharply to Uddhav Thackeray’s allegations of “vote chori”, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday accused the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief of indulging in political poaching instead. Fadnavis claimed that Thackeray had a history of luring elected representatives from rival parties, particularly during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
“Uddhav Thackeray should not talk about vote theft. He directly steals corporators. In the BMC, he took eight corporators from the MNS and inducted them into his own party. We do not steal votes, but what is even more serious than vote theft is stealing elected representatives and that is exactly what he does,” the chief minister said.
Fadnavis maintained that his party had won public support fairly and alleged that defections engineered by political rivals undermined the democratic mandate of voters.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Sanjay Raut says...
#watch | Mumbai: On BMC election, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, "...This is a local body election, so the election should be fought on local issues. Uddhav Thackeray has challenged Devendra Fadnavis that you name any such election where you have not raised the… pic.twitter.com/SuGXZ4ns1s
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Fadnavis asks Raj Thackeray to question Uddhav over Hindi language decisions
Responding to Raj Thackeray’s allegations, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the former should question his own ally instead of targeting him. Speaking in Pune, Fadnavis claimed he had already presented documentary evidence showing that it was Uddhav Thackeray who approved decisions making Hindi compulsory in the state during his tenure.
Fadnavis said that now that relations between the Thackeray brothers are improving, Raj Thackeray should seek clarity from Uddhav on who actually endangered the Marathi language. He alleged that Uddhav Thackeray’s decisions posed the real threat, despite which Raj has chosen to align with him.
Taking a political swipe, the chief minister said the people of Maharashtra have repeatedly endorsed his leadership. He pointed out that he has been elected chief minister three times and that his alliance secured a clear majority in the last election, which, according to him, reflects where public support truly lies.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Deora targets ‘Private ATM’ politics, backs Mahayuti ahead of BMC Polls
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Tuesday said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election should focus on development and civic amenities, accusing rival political families of misusing Mumbai’s civic body for personal gain over the last 25 years.
Calling the BMC the largest municipal body in Asia, Deora said it must work for citizens and not for private contractors. Taking a swipe at opponents, he alleged that the civic body had been treated as a “private ATM” and drew a contrast with his party’s approach.
“For them ATM means ‘Any Time Money’ and for us ATM means ‘Accountable to Mumbaikars’,” Deora said, adding that his party would ensure transparency and public accountability in civic governance.
Expressing confidence ahead of the polls, Deora said the Mahayuti alliance would win convincingly. He claimed voters want change and constructive work, and have seen the state and central governments delivering results for Mumbai and its residents in recent years.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Sanjay Raut slams Fadnavis
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his remarks suggesting that the “existence” of the Thackeray brothers was under threat. Raut said Fadnavis should focus on his own position, asserting that the Thackeray family was fully capable of handling political challenges.
Addressing a press conference, Raut said Fadnavis’ comments questioning the Thackeray brothers’ contribution to the Marathi manus amounted to a challenge to Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He accused the BJP of undermining the “son of the soil” issue, which he said has remained relevant in Maharashtra for decades.
Raut claimed the BJP’s rise in the state was aided by Bal Thackeray and alleged that Marathi identity was now under threat because of the party. His remarks came in response to Fadnavis’ attack at a joint rally with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, where the CM asserted that the BMC leadership would remain Marathi.
Dy CM Eknath Shinde says, "I have come to Borivali for election campaigning."
#watch | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Dy CM Eknath Shinde says, "I have come to Borivali for election campaigning. You can see the excitement among people. So many people from the area have come to the rally. Mahayuti's victory is certain. Suvarna, the candidate from here, is a… pic.twitter.com/3wNZlx9Lvh
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2026
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Malik Accuses BJP of divisive politics ahead of BMC Polls
Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik on Tuesday accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BJP Tamil Nadu leader K Annamalai of indulging in divisive politics ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, asserting that Mumbai’s identity is rooted in its cosmopolitan character. Speaking on the final day of campaigning, Malik said political parties were polarising voters by invoking religion, identity and migration issues, including references to Lord Ram, burqa, and alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators.
Malik criticised attempts to divide citizens on linguistic and regional lines in the name of Marathi identity, stressing that Mumbai was built by people from all communities across India. He also slammed Annamalai’s remarks referring to Mumbai as “Bombay,” calling them unnecessary provocations.
The remarks come amid an intense political slugfest involving BJP, NCP, Shiv Sena factions and MNS, with sharp exchanges over Marathi identity. The controversy unfolds as Maharashtra prepares for civic polls on January 15, with counting on January 16.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Aaditya Thackeray holds a roadshow in Mumbai
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray holds a roadshow in Mumbai on the last day of campaigning.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Fadnavis leads bike roadshow across Nagpur
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the final day of campaigning for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections on Tuesday with a high-energy roadshow, riding a Royal Enfield through the city.
The rally drew large crowds, with supporters cheering, waving flags, and raising slogans, creating a charged and energetic atmosphere. The roadshow passed through key city landmarks, including Bharat Mata Chowk, Teen Nal Chowk, Shaheed Chowk, Tanga Stand Chowk, Gandhi Statue, Pandit Bachharaj Chowk, Mahal Chowk, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue at Mahal.
In recent days, Fadnavis has concentrated his campaign efforts in Nagpur, connecting with voters through initiatives like “Tarri Poha with Devabhau.”
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Mumbai police conduct route march ahead of polls
Mumbai Police carried out a route march in several sensitive areas of the city ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, which are scheduled for January 15. The march was part of security preparations to ensure a peaceful voting process and maintain law and order during the polls.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Ajit Pawar condemns ‘communal angle’ in BMC polls
Nationalist Congress Party chief and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday criticised attempts to give a “communal angle” to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Reasserting that he has “a secular mindset,” Pawar said that in a diverse country like India, every person is an equal citizen.
“I do not like this at all, I have a secular mindset. The ideology of Ambedkar does not teach us this. I just have to say that our country is so big, and those who stay in this country are all Indians. If someone is committing treason against the country, action should be taken against them, and they should be given the death penalty, a new law should be made,” Pawar said in an interview with ANI.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: SC to take up Nomination row today
The Supreme Court will hear a petition today, January 13, challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision on the “mass rejection” of nomination forms for the BMC elections. The petition claims that many forms were rejected on very technical and non-statutory grounds, allegedly to “benefit the ruling party.”
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by Mumbai businessman Mozam Ali Mir, who questioned why so many nomination forms were rejected just days before the BMC elections on January 15.
But on January 9, the Bombay High Court dismissed the PIL, saying the courts should not interfere once the election process has begun. The matter is now expected to move to the Supreme Court.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Yogesh Kadam rejects Raj Thackeray’s Mahayuti allegations
Maharashtra Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yogesh Kadam has dismissed the allegations made by MNS chief Raj Thackeray against the ruling Mahayuti, saying such accusations are typically made when someone knows they are going to lose the elections.
Speaking to reporters, Kadam said that if Raj Thackeray and others are confident about their claims, they should present proof.
“They make such allegations when they know they will lose the elections, and if they are so confident, they should prove it. Balasaheb Thackeray always trusted Eknath Shinde, and they know this,” Kadam said.
He also accused the Thackeray brothers of playing “fast and loose” and thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for exposing them.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Fight for cousins, not Marathi people, says Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday criticised Uddhav Thackeray, president of the recently united Shiv Sena (UBT), and MNS leader Raj Thackeray, saying the January 15 Mumbai civic elections are a battle for survival between the cousins, not for the Marathi people, according to a PTI report.
Speaking at a rally supporting the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance on the second-last day of campaigning, Fadnavis stressed that Mumbai is an inseparable part of Maharashtra and no one can attempt to divide it.
At the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election rally at Shivaji Park, the CM showed old videos of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray attacking each other. The cousins had recently joined forces for the civic polls after 20 years of rivalry.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: How many candidates are contesting?
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani announced that around 1,700 candidates from 227 wards will contest in the upcoming civic elections. He said the BMC is fully prepared for the polls. “BMC is all prepared to conduct these elections. Voting will be held on 15th January and counting on 16th. There are 227 wards in total. 1700 candidates are contesting,” ANI quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, ahead of the elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made strong remarks about Marathi identity, saying that the leadership of the civic body would continue to remain with Marathi people.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Mumbai can't be separated from Maharashtra, says Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday launched a scathing attack on Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, saying the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election is the battle of survival for the cousins, not for Marathi people.
He said Mumbai is an inseparable part of Maharashtra and no one can dare to break it away.
Responding to MNS chief Raj Thackeray's remarks that the upcoming elections to the Mumbai civic body will be the last one for Marathi people, Fadnavis said, "Your own survival is at stake.
"This is not the last election for Mumbai and Marathi people; your own survival is at stake," he said while addressing a Mahayuti rally at iconic Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
-via PTI
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: Teams seize cash, liquor, drugs and illegal weapons
As per the civic body, Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs), Flying Squads (FSTs) and expenditure monitoring cells deployed across all 227 wards have seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 3,10,17,020 from various parts of the city.
As much as 1,237 litres of liquor worth Rs 8,03,330 and 55 kg of narcotics valued at nearly Rs 44,95,07,237 was also seized.
Illegal weapons were also seized, including 36 firearms, 115 sharp weapons and 52 rounds of ammunition.
Maharashtra BMC Elections 2026 Live: What are Printing Auxiliary Display Units, to be used for first time in civic polls?
Printing Auxiliary Display Units (PADU) will be used in the January 15 Mumbai civic polls for the first time to facilitate vote counting in the event of technical glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Addressing a press conference, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, who is also the District Election Officer for the upcoming polls in the metropolis, said 140 PADUs have been received.
PADU units have been received from Bengaluru-based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as backup units, he said, adding that these, like the other EVM units, will remain with Returning Officers and will be used only in case of emergency.
-via PTI