Fri Jan 16 07:30:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: BJP Gains Ground in Maharashtra Municipal Elections; Thackeray Brothers’ Parties Struggle

The Story:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be gaining significant control over the political landscape in Mumbai and Maharashtra, according to initial results from the 29 municipal corporation elections, including the crucial Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. The BJP is projected to win a majority in the BMC for the first time and is poised to install mayors in cities like Nagpur and Pune. In contrast, parties led by the Thackeray brothers, Uddhav and Raj, are facing setbacks, with Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) performing particularly poorly.

The vote count for the BMC elections reveals the BJP leading in 88 seats. While Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) fought closely, the alliance between the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena seems to be on track to secure a majority. Raj Thackeray’s MNS has failed to gain traction, both in Mumbai and Pune.

Key Points:

  • The BJP is projected to win a majority in the BMC for the first time.
  • The BJP is expected to install mayors in Nagpur and Pune.
  • Raj Thackeray’s MNS is performing poorly across Maharashtra, including in Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik.
  • The BJP is leading in 1064 wards out of the 2869 seats contested in the 29 municipal corporation elections.
  • Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena is leading in 282 wards, while Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is ahead in only 109 wards.
  • Raj Thackeray’s MNS is leading in only 12 wards overall, with just 5 seats in Mumbai out of 277.
  • Raj Thackeray contested in alliance with his cousin Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BJP is solidifying its position as a dominant political force in Maharashtra.
  • The division within the Shiv Sena, with the split between Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde, is significantly impacting the party’s performance.
  • Raj Thackeray’s political influence is waning, with his party failing to secure significant gains despite contesting in key urban centers.
  • The municipal elections serve as an indicator of broader political trends in Maharashtra, suggesting a shift in power dynamics.
  • Alliance formations will play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape, as evidenced by the BJP and Shinde’s Shiv Sena’s performance.

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