Maharashtra Civic Polls: Mahayuti Crosses 200-Mark as MVA Trails. (Image: PTI/File)

The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance has taken a commanding lead in the elections to municipal councils and nagar panchayats across Maharashtra. Early trends available showed the ruling alliance ahead in a large majority of the 288 local bodies where counting is under way.

The results and trends from Maharashtra’s Nagar Panchayat and Municipal Council elections point to a clear dominance of the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which has won 218 of the 288 civic bodies. 

The BJP has emerged as the single largest party with 127 victories, followed by the  Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with 54 and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with 37, reinforcing the alliance’s strong grassroots presence.

Opposition trails

The Opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) lagged behind in the early trends. The Congress was leading in 29 local bodies, followed by the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) in six and the NCP led by Sharad Pawar in eight.

These elections, held after nearly a decade, were seen as a key test of political strength in semi-urban and rural Maharashtra. With issues such as agrarian distress, delayed welfare payments and farmers’ complaints over lack of financial support, the Opposition was expected to pose a stronger challenge.

Key upsets and local battles

There were, however, some notable exceptions. In the Uran municipal council, Bhavna Ghanekar won the president’s post with backing from the MVA, dealing a setback to the BJP despite its control over the council.

Overall trends show the BJP leading in around 125 bodies, Shiv Sena (Shinde) in 48 and the NCP in 38. The Mahayuti is ahead in nearly 192 local bodies, while the MVA trails with leads in about 46.

Campaign strategy made a difference?

Political observers noted a clear contrast in campaign strategies. While Congress leaders campaigned actively in Vidarbha and Marathwada, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership was largely absent from the ground. Leaders of the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) were mostly confined to their traditional strongholds.

In contrast, the ruling Mahayuti ran an aggressive campaign. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, travelled extensively and addressed meetings even in remote areas. This coordinated approach appears to have paid dividends.

Alliance tensions fail to dent results

The run-up to the polls was not without friction within the Mahayuti. Several Shiv Sena ministers skipped a cabinet meeting and accused the BJP of high-handedness. Shinde also reminded allies about maintaining “alliance dharma” during public speeches.

Despite these internal strains, the alliance has managed to present a united front at the grassroots level, limiting the impact of the disputes on voter behaviour.

Signal ahead of BMC elections

The results are being closely watched ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections scheduled next month. The strong showing by the ruling alliance suggests it enters the next contest with momentum, as Maharashtra’s political battle shifts to the state’s biggest civic body.