Mumbai: The Bharatiya Janata Party–led Mahayuti alliance has further tightened its hold on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, emerging as the dominant force as counting progresses. According to the latest confirmed results, the Mahayuti has crossed a significant milestone, winning around 130 seats, while the Uddhav Thackeray-led bloc has secured victories in about 72 wards.
One of the most talked-about outcomes of the day came from Mankhurd, where the BJP registered a notable victory that has drawn political attention across Maharashtra. In Ward 135, BJP candidate Navnath Ban recorded a clear win against the Shiv Sena (Thackeray faction), marking a rare success for the party in a constituency long viewed as electorally challenging for the saffron camp.
Ban, who entered electoral politics for the first time, defeated his nearest rival by a margin of over 8,500 votes. His win is being interpreted within political circles as part of the BJP’s broader strategy to nurture fresh leadership and expand its footprint in constituencies traditionally dominated by opposition parties. A former journalist and once associated with the party’s media wing, Ban’s transition from organisational work to electoral success has been highlighted by party leaders as an example of grassroots growth.
The campaign in Mankhurd witnessed intense political activity, with senior BJP leaders and star campaigners canvassing extensively. At the same time, the contest was not without controversy, as an independent candidate raised allegations of political pressure during the campaign period, adding to the high-voltage nature of the ward battle.
Beyond Mankhurd, the overall trend in Mumbai indicates a clear advantage for the Mahayuti alliance, which has managed to convert organisational strength and coordinated campaigning into electoral gains across multiple regions of the city. On the other hand, the Thackeray-led alliance, though retaining influence in several pockets, appears to be trailing in the overall numbers.
