Following a disappointing performance in the recent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Raj Thackeray has acknowledged the party's setback, stating that the BMC polls were "not an easy fight" and pledging to analyze what went wrong. The MNS, which once held significant influence in Mumbai and other urban centers of Maharashtra, struggled to make a substantial impact in the 2026 elections.
Early tallies indicated that the MNS secured only a handful of seats in the BMC, falling significantly short of its benchmarks in the 2012 and 2017 elections. Ultimately, the party only managed to win six wards across Mumbai. This lackluster performance has prompted introspection within the party, with Thackeray promising a thorough analysis of the factors that contributed to the outcome.
Several factors are being cited as potential reasons for the MNS's poor showing. Political analysts suggest that the tactical alliance between Raj Thackeray and his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, whose Shiv Sena (UBT) also faced setbacks, failed to translate into a seamless transfer of votes. While there was some consolidation of Marathi votes in certain wards, it was not enough to counter the wave in favor of the Mahayuti alliance, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena.
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the BMC elections, ending nearly three decades of Shiv Sena control over Mumbai's civic administration. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, followed by the Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 29 seats. Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT) secured 65 seats, while the Congress won 24. Together, the Mahayuti alliance won 118 seats, exceeding the majority mark in the 227-member BMC.
Beyond Mumbai, the MNS's performance in key cities like Pune, Nashik, and Thane was also described as underwhelming. The party struggled to retain its influence in urban pockets that were once considered its strongholds, suffering defeats or failing to secure a meaningful presence in a majority of the municipal corporations that went to the polls.
In the final leg of the campaign, Raj Thackeray made headlines for the wrong reasons. His controversial remarks against South Indians, reviving the "lungi-pungi" trope, and his swipe at BJP leader K. Annamalai, were viewed as divisive and may have alienated potential voters. Some analysts believe that this divisive rhetoric hurt not only the MNS but also Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena (UBT).
The MNS's decision to focus on nativist politics and Marathi pride may have limited its appeal beyond its core voter base, alienating other communities. Additionally, Raj Thackeray's shifting political positions over the years have been criticized, with some viewing the MNS as a fringe force rather than a serious contender.
Despite the setback, Raj Thackeray's pledge to analyze the election results suggests a commitment to reassessing the party's strategy and identifying areas for improvement. It remains to be seen what specific changes the MNS will implement in the coming months and whether the party can regain its lost ground in future elections. The MNS secured wins in six wards across Mumbai. Surekha Parab won from Ward No. 38, while Vidya Arya emerged victorious from Ward No. 74. Sai Shirke clinched Ward No. 128, and Supriya Dalvi secured a win from Ward No. 205. Jyoti Rajbhoj was declared the winner from Ward No. 115, and Hari Nakshi Chirath won from Ward No. 110.
