Mumbai: With the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections concluded, political parties have begun setting up their internal leadership structures inside the civic body. The Congress party has appointed senior corporator Ashraf Azmi as its group leader after securing 24 seats in the election, signalling its intent to play an active and organised role in the BMC House.
Ashraf Azmi, a three-time corporator with long experience in municipal politics, is expected to lead the Congress corporators on key civic issues, including budgets, infrastructure projects, and public services. Party leaders believe his experience will help the Congress raise local concerns more effectively and counter the dominance of larger parties in the House.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which crossed the eligibility mark by winning six seats, has named first-time corporator Yashwant Killedar as its group leader. The decision was taken at a meeting held at party chief Raj Thackeray’s residence. Killedar, who won from Ward No. 192 in Dadar after a tough contest, emerged as the party’s choice despite initial internal differences.
With six or more seats, both the Congress and MNS qualify not only to appoint group leaders but also to receive separate party offices at the BMC headquarters. These offices play an important role in coordination, strategy meetings, and daily functioning during civic sessions.
As per BMC rules, group leaders do not hold formal executive powers. However, they act as the official voice of their parties in the House—guiding corporators, participating in debates, influencing budget discussions, and shaping the party’s stand on development policies and civic governance.
The 2026 BMC election results have produced a fragmented House. The BJP emerged as the single largest party with 89 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) with 65 seats and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena with 29 seats. Congress finished with 24 seats, AIMIM secured eight, MNS won six, while smaller parties like the NCP, Samajwadi Party, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction also gained representation.
Based on their numbers, BJP, Shiv Sena (UBT), Shiv Sena (Shinde), Congress, AIMIM, and MNS are all eligible to appoint group leaders and claim office space within the BMC building. Meanwhile, discussions are ongoing in other parties to finalise their leadership choices. Several names are being considered within both Shiv Sena factions, indicating that internal negotiations are still underway.
