In the wake of the recent Maharashtra civic polls, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has publicly accepted the defeat of his faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), acknowledging the public's mandate as supreme. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as a dominant force, securing significant victories across key urban centers, including Mumbai, Pune, and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
The civic elections, which took place on January 15, 2026, saw results declared for 2,833 of the 2,868 seats across 29 municipal corporations. The BJP won 1,400 seats, with the Shiv Sena securing 397 and the Congress 324. Shiv Sena (UBT) won 153 seats. The results signify a major shift in Maharashtra's political landscape, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance gaining considerable ground.
Ajit Pawar, who had heavily campaigned in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, particularly targeting BJP MLA Mahesh Landge with allegations of corruption, expressed his acceptance of the outcome via social media platform X. He congratulated the winning candidates and urged them to prioritize public issues and accelerate development work in their respective municipal corporations. Pawar also encouraged those who did not win to remain dedicated to serving the people.
In Pune, the BJP secured a resounding victory, winning 96 seats, while the NCP managed only 20 seats. In neighboring Pimpri-Chinchwad, the BJP bagged 84 seats, relegating the NCP to second place with 37 seats. The NCP (SP) failed to win a single seat there. This performance is a significant setback for Ajit Pawar, whose party's reduced strength is expected to diminish his clout within the ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in the state.
The BJP's dominance extends beyond Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. In Mumbai, the BJP emerged as the single largest party, breaking the Shiv Sena's decades-long hold on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance crossed the majority mark in the 227-member BMC, winning 89 seats, while ally Shiv Sena secured 29, taking the alliance tally to 118.
Despite overall gains for the BJP, the Congress party secured a significant victory in Latur Municipal Corporation, winning 43 of the 70 seats. The party also performed better in the state compared to its Maha Vikas Agadi allies Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). The AIMIM also made notable gains, winning or leading in over 90 seats.
The Maharashtra civic elections have provided early cues for the upcoming 2029 showdown. The BJP's strategic leadership, particularly under Devendra Fadnavis, has been credited with the party's widespread success. The results also highlight the challenges faced by traditionally dominant regional parties in countering the BJP's campaign narrative focused on governance.
