BMC elections soon: Old players, new teams, high stakes as Mumbai keenly awaits civic polls

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray (L) and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde

For over three years, the people of Maharashtra have been living without the third tier of governance, institutionalized as municipal corporations, municipalities, and nagar panchayats. The tenure of most civic bodies ended by 2022, and they are being managed by government-appointed administrators.

Despite the completion of their terms, elections could not be held as the Supreme Court was addressing the matter. Now, the apex court’s order has paved the way for the electoral process. In its order dated May 6, 2025, the court directed the Election Commission to issue the poll notification. Once the notification is issued, elections will be held within four months. The elections are expected in the first or second week of October, when the monsoon withdraws from the state.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is the largest civic body in Maharashtra, serving the biggest population and managing a substantial budget. The BMC’s budget exceeds that of some smaller Indian states, making it the richest civic body in India. Its prominence is also reflected in its number of wards (227), second only to the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC).

The last BMC polls, held in 2017, saw the undivided Shiv Sena win the highest number of seats (84), followed by the BJP (82). The Congress secured 31 wards, the NCP 9, Raj Thackeray’s MNS 7, and the Samajwadi Party 6. Although the Shiv Sena and BJP were alliance partners in the Mahayuti government, they contested the BMC elections independently. As the single largest party, the Shiv Sena was able to install its Mayor.

The political landscape in Mumbai has changed significantly since 2017. Eight years ago, there were four major parties: BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP. However, in 2022 and 2023, the Shiv Sena and NCP split due to rebellions led by Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, respectively. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently announced that the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, will contest the elections together. It remains unclear whether the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), consisting of Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP), will follow suit.

Winning the BMC polls is crucial for both Shiv Sena factions. The undivided Shiv Sena ruled the BMC for over two and a half decades, during which the civic body served as a significant financial resource, bolstering the party’s coffers. Although not officially confirmed, sources suggest that Shiv Sena (UBT) is considering contesting independently, outside the MVA alliance. The other MVA parties, Congress and NCP (SP), have limited strength at the civic body level.

Shiv Sena (UBT) faces challenges not only from the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde)-BJP alliance but also from Raj Thackeray’s MNS. Recently, there have been discussions about a potential alliance between Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, but nothing concrete has materialized. For Raj Thackeray, this election is seen as a critical opportunity to revive his dormant party before the next assembly polls. If MNS decides to go solo, Uddhav’s path to victory will become even more challenging.