MUMBAI: The early trends of the high-stakes Maharashtra civic poll results indicate that the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has crossed the halfway mark in Mumbai municipal corporations and is on track to strengthen its hold in key civic body elections across the state. The counting of votes commenced at 10 am on Friday, January 16, 2026, and early indicators suggest a significant shift in political dynamics.

Key urban centers such as Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Nashik are becoming battlegrounds where the BJP appears to be making substantial inroads into areas traditionally dominated by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Shiv Sena. While the Shiv Sena leaders, including Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, were banking on a revival for their parties at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), they are presently trailing far behind. A former MLA from Eknath Shinde’s faction of Shiv Sena, Yamini Jadhav, secured victory in Ward 209, indicating a shift in voter sentiment.

With counting still in progress, out of the total 227 wards, results for 212 have been announced. The BJP and Shiv Sena alliance has achieved dominance with leads in 119 seats, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) is in second place with 70 seats. The Congress holds 13 seats, and the NCP has merely 2, showcasing a decisive win for the alliance. Visuals from outside Devendra Fadnavis's residence show jubilant supporters celebrating their party's apparent victory, contrasting sharply with a subdued atmosphere surrounding the Thackeray residence.

This civic poll marks a crucial moment for the Thackerays and the Pawars, as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for their political legacies. The results underscore the potential erosion of their power as BJP-led factions dominate urban centers historically aligned with their parties. The stakes are high; the BJP is not only aiming for control of the BMC, the nation’s wealthiest civic body, but also seeking to redefine Maharashtra's political landscape ahead of the next elections.