Maharashtra exit polls predict landslide for BJP-led Mahayuti in BMC, Thackeray alliance trails

Voting for Maharashtra’s high-stakes civic elections, including the prestigious Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), concluded on Thursday evening, with exit polls projecting a sweeping victory for the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. According to major agencies such as Axis My India and JVC, the ruling coalition is set to emerge as the dominant force in Mumbai and several other municipal corporations, while the Uddhav Thackeray–Raj Thackeray alliance is expected to finish a distant second. The Congress is projected to trail further behind.

Polling across 29 municipal corporations ended at 5.30 pm, with State Election Commissioner Dinesh Waghmare stating that the overall voter turnout stood between 46 and 50 per cent. In Mumbai alone, voting took place across 227 wards, with nearly 1,700 candidates in the fray. More than 1.03 crore voters were eligible to cast their ballots in the BMC elections, making it one of the largest civic electoral exercises in the country.

The day-long polling, however, was overshadowed by controversy. Allegations that indelible ink used on voters’ fingers could be wiped off using acetone sparked outrage among opposition leaders. Videos circulating on social media led to sharp criticism of the BJP-led state government, with claims that the issue could enable bogus voting. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the State Election Commission rejected these allegations, insisting that voting safeguards were intact and announcing a probe into the ink-related complaints.

Several voters in Mumbai also reported difficulties in locating their names on electoral rolls or finding their polling booths, many of which had reportedly been changed or merged without adequate prior communication. Long queues and confusion were witnessed at multiple polling stations, particularly during the morning hours. Even election staff acknowledged problems, citing poorly printed voter lists and unclear photographs that slowed down verification.

Despite the disruptions, prominent political leaders and celebrities, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, and actors such as Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, were seen casting their votes, urging citizens to participate in the democratic process.

The BMC elections are particularly significant as they are being held after a delay of nearly three years. Historically, the undivided Shiv Sena dominated the civic body, winning 84 seats in alliance with the BJP’s 82 in the 2017 polls. However, following the 2022 split in the Shiv Sena, the political landscape of Mumbai has changed dramatically. For Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, these elections are seen as a crucial test of their political relevance and the enduring influence of the Thackeray surname in Maharashtra.

With exit polls suggesting a decisive mandate for the Mahayuti, all eyes are now on the counting of votes scheduled for January 16. The results are expected to reshape Mumbai’s civic politics and set the tone for future electoral battles in the state.