BMC Elections 2026: Ajit Pawar-Led NCP Goes Solo, Releases First List of 37 Candidates

Mumbai: The Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has taken a decisive political call ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, opting to contest independently and chart its own course in Mumbai’s fiercely contested civic battle. The party has internally identified nearly 100 wards where it plans to field candidates, signalling a full-scale solo campaign.

Kicking off its independent push, the NCP on Sunday unveiled its first list of 37 candidates. Party leaders described the move as a strategic assertion of strength in Mumbai, aimed at expanding the NCP’s urban footprint beyond alliance compulsions.

Confirming the decision, Anushakti Nagar MLA Sana Malik said the choice to go solo was approved by the top leadership. She underlined that the party is confident of contesting a substantial number of seats on its own strength and organisational network.

The first list reflects a strong emphasis on experienced faces as well as new entrants. Members of the Malik family feature prominently, indicating continuity and consolidation in key pockets. Former corporators Kaptan Malik and Saeeda Arif Khan have been re-nominated from wards where they have past political presence, while Bushra Malik, representing the next generation, has been fielded from a women-reserved ward, marking her electoral debut.

The list also highlights fresh political shifts ahead of the polls. Dhananjay Pisal, who recently crossed over from the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP), has been named as a candidate, showcasing the Ajit Pawar faction’s ability to attract leaders from rival camps. Additionally, the party has inducted Ashish Mane, a close relative of Shiv Sena chief and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, with indications that he will contest in the next round of candidate announcements.

Sources suggest the NCP’s decision to fight alone is also shaped by internal tensions within the ruling alliance, particularly over leadership and campaign control in Mumbai. Despite objections from allies over certain faces taking the lead, the Ajit Pawar-led NCP has made it clear that it will independently decide its strategy and leadership structure.