Mumbai has emphatically chosen development and progress, according to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, as the Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shinde's Shiv Sena, secured a significant victory in the recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Shinde asserted that the people of Mumbai have rejected those who were against development, signaling a shift away from established power structures.
The election results, announced on Friday, January 16, 2026, saw the BJP emerge as the single largest party in the state, winning 1,372 seats across 29 municipal corporations. In Mumbai, the BJP has an edge with 88 wards while Shinde's Shiv Sena is ahead in 28 wards. The majority mark is 114. The Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, followed with 394 seats, while the Congress secured 315, Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 158, and Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 149 seats.
Shinde, speaking at a press conference in Thane, lauded the Mahayuti's performance in Mumbai, confidently stating that the city would have a mayor from the alliance this time. He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shinde emphasized that his government has been dedicated to Mumbai's development for the past three and a half years, with the goal of transforming it into an international city. Key initiatives include making Mumbai pothole-free and corruption-free, as well as upgrading the Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana.
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the broader implications of the election results, suggesting a rejection of "emotional politics" in favor of a development-oriented approach. He affirmed that the Mahayuti's focus would remain firmly on development across both Mumbai and Maharashtra. Shinde envisioned Mumbai as a global, inclusive, and developed city, stating, "This is our dream, and we will definitely fulfill it". He contrasted his alliance's commitment to progress with others who "believed in settlements," asserting that this difference is why the people stood with them.
In the Thane Municipal Corporation, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena maintained its dominance, with the BJP-Sena alliance securing 103 seats. The Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 75 seats, while the BJP won 28 seats.
Looking ahead, Shinde outlined several key initiatives for Mumbai, including positioning it as a global fintech hub, establishing a world-class university, strengthening road infrastructure, and making the city pothole-free. The government plans to invest ₹17,000 crore to combat pollution and improve environmental conditions in the city. Social initiatives include providing 50% reservation for women in BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) services and constructing multiplex theaters for Marathi audiences. The government also aims to build 30-35 lakh homes across the state and work towards making Mumbai slum-free, aligning with Balasaheb Thackeray's vision.
