Maharashtra Local Body Results: Mahayuti Near Sweep, BJP Leads Charge; Political Focus Shifts to BMC Elections

Mumbai: Vote counting for the Maharashtra Civic Body Elections 2025 is currently in progress across the state, and early indications point towards a strong performance by the ruling Mahayuti alliance. After intense two-phase polling marked by sharp political campaigning and local rivalries, the initial trends suggest that the ruling combine has gained a decisive edge, especially in the race for Nagaradhyaksha (municipal council president) positions.

According to trend updates emerging from multiple Marathi news broadcasters, the Mahayuti alliance has surged ahead in nearly 200 municipal councils and nagar panchayats. This significant lead highlights the alliance’s growing dominance at the grassroots level. In comparison, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) appears to be lagging, with leads reported in around 50 civic bodies. Independents and smaller local groups are making their presence felt in about 18 to 20 councils, indicating that local leadership and issues continue to influence outcomes in certain regions.

Within the Mahayuti camp, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the dominant force. Trend data shows the BJP leading by a wide margin, followed by the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). On the Opposition side, the Congress remains the most competitive MVA constituent, registering leads in approximately 28 to 34 bodies. However, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) are trailing significantly, with leads largely restricted to single digits. Independent candidates and ‘Others’ are collectively ahead in nearly 20 to 23 civic bodies.

The BJP has also registered early wins without contest in select areas. The Dondaicha Municipal Council in Dhule district and the Angar Nagar Panchayat in Solapur saw councillors and presidents elected unopposed. Additionally, the municipal president’s post in Jammer was secured without any electoral challenge, further boosting the BJP’s tally.

The civic polls, conducted in two phases on December 2 and December 20, are being closely watched as a crucial political indicator ahead of larger electoral battles in the state. The results are expected to offer insights into shifting voter sentiments and the relative strength of alliances at the local level. In several towns, the contest turned multi-cornered, with alliance partners from the Mahayuti—BJP, Shinde Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP—engaging in so-called “friendly contests” against each other, adding complexity to the electoral dynamics.

As counting continues, attention is already shifting to the next major political test. The State Election Commission has announced that elections to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and 28 other municipal corporations will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. With 2,869 seats up for grabs and nearly 3.48 crore eligible voters, the upcoming BMC elections are set to become the next major battleground in Maharashtra’s political landscape.