Exit polls released Thursday, January 15, 2026, predict a significant victory for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, signaling a likely setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena coalition.
Municipal Election Results Predicted
According to My Axis India exit polls, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is projected to win between 131 and 151 seats in Mumbai, capturing 42% of the vote share. The Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance, led by Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray, is expected to secure 58-68 seats with a 32% vote share.
The Congress-Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha alliance is forecast to win 12-16 seats, garnering 13% of the vote. Other parties, including independents, NCP, AIMIM, and left parties, are anticipated to win 6-12 seats. A total of 227 wards were contested in Mumbai.
Saam TV exit polls suggest the BJP could win 84 seats in Mumbai, with its alliance partner, Shiv Sena, securing 35. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are predicted to win 65 and 10 seats, respectively, while the NCP (SP) is expected to win two seats.
Expansion Beyond Mumbai
The projections extend beyond Mumbai. In Pune, Saam TV forecasts the BJP as the largest party, winning 70 seats, followed by the NCP with 55. The NCP (SP) is expected to win 10 seats, while the Shiv Sena, contesting independently, could win 12. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS are projected to win five and two seats, respectively, and the Congress eight.
Neighboring Thane, considered a stronghold of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, is predicted to see the Shiv Sena win 72 seats and the BJP 26, according to Saam TV. The Sena (UBT) and MNS are expected to win three and two seats, respectively.
Jubilant Data Studio exit polls align with the overall trend, projecting 127-155 seats for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Mumbai, 44-64 for the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance, and 16-25 for the Congress-led alliance. Similar projections for Pune and Thane reinforce the anticipated dominance of the BJP-Shiv Sena coalition.
The JVC exit polls further corroborate these findings, predicting 138 seats for the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance in Mumbai with a 42-45% vote share, 59 seats for the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance with a 34-37% vote share, and 23 seats for the Congress-led alliance with a 13-15% vote share.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)?
The BMC is the governing body of Mumbai, responsible for the civic administration of the city, including infrastructure, public health, and education.
Which parties formed the major alliances in these elections?
The major alliances were the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance, the Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS-NCP (SP) alliance, and the Congress-Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and Rashtriya Samaj Paksha alliance.
How many wards are there in Mumbai?
There are 227 wards in Mumbai.
As the results are still pending, it remains to be seen whether these projections will translate into actual outcomes. However, should the exit polls prove accurate, the coming days could signal a new era for municipal governance in Maharashtra’s key cities.
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