As the BJP-Shiv Sena combine inched closer to the winning figure in the BMC election on Friday (January 16, 2026) night, it became clear that Uddhav Thackeray had lost control of the municipal corporation for the first time, having ruled it continuously for over 25 years.
From 84 seats in the 2017 elections, his party Shiv Sena (UBT), formed three years ago, won 64 seats this time. Eknath Shinde, who is the claimant of the Shiv Sena now, got only 27 seats in Mumbai. The results show a consolidation of the Marathi vote bank, after the Thackerays trumped Eknath Shinde in the core Marathi voter belts of Mumbai.
What the civic body poll results mean for Maharashtra politics
“This shows that in Mumbai, the Shiv Sena belongs to Thackerays,” a senior political leader said.
File picture of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray addressing a press conference at Shivsena Bhavan, in Mumbai | Photo Credit: ANI
